The First-Year Design Competition showcases the creativity and problem-solving skills of Louisiana Tech’s first-year engineering students. As part of the Living with the Lab and Living with Cyber curriculum, students work in teams to conceive, design, build, and test an original prototype that addresses a real-world problem. Throughout the academic year, students apply foundational engineering concepts, programming, electronics, and fabrication techniques to develop their projects using the tools and resources provided through the program.
At the end of the year, teams present their prototypes during the College of Engineering and Science Design and Research Conference. Each project demonstrates students’ ability to translate ideas into working systems while developing skills in teamwork, communication, and innovation. Hundreds of first-year students participate annually, highlighting the hands-on learning experience that defines Louisiana Tech’s engineering program.
Below are the projects and student teams that participated in this year’s First-Year Design Competition.