2026 Design and Research Conference

First-Year and Seniors designing with purpose.

Two Days. One Building. Endless Solutions.

The College of Engineering and Science is proud to host the annual Design and Research Conference consisting of the college's best and brightest thinkers, innovators and designers. The work you see on display is the tangible by-product of a rigorous STEM education, collaboration and solutions that answer specific problems in a real-world setting.

Location:

Integrated Engineering and Science Building (IESB)

418 Dan Reneau Drive, Ruston, La 71270

Schedule:

Thursday, May 7 - First Year Design Showcase/Competition - 4:00 to 7:00 PM
Friday, May 8 - Senior Design Capstone Project Presentations - 1:00 to 5:00 PM

Browse projects in all 13 COES Undergraduate programs by navigating the menu on the left of this page.

First-Year Design Projects

Living with the Lab and Living with Cyber is proud to host the First-Year Design Competition, a showcase of innovation and ingenuity from first-year engineering and science students in COES. After just one year of instruction, these students apply foundational principles to develop and present original designs—demonstrating how quickly they grow from beginners into capable problem-solvers. Beginning on the very first day of classes, each student is equipped with a hands-on project kit, setting the stage for a year of experiential learning that culminates in this impressive display of creativity, technical skill, and teamwork.

Senior Design Projects

Senior Design is the capstone experience for students across all 13 COES majors. Representing the culmination of their academic journey, these projects highlight the depth of knowledge, technical expertise, and collaborative skills developed over years of rigorous study. Seniors are challenged to tackle complex, real-world problems - often in partnership with industry sponsors - transforming ideas into fully realized solutions. This showcase stands as a testament to their growth from foundational learners to emerging professionals, ready to make meaningful contributions in their fields.