Rose-Hulman's Mechanical Engineering Department Seeks Community-Based Senior Capstone Projects
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Rose-Hulman's Mechanical Engineering Department is seeking meaningful, community-based projects. Submit project proposals by August 1, 2026.
Rose-Hulman’s Mechanical Engineering Department is seeking meaningful, community-based projects for senior capstone projects for the upcoming academic year. Projects to be completed during the 2026-2027 academic year should be submitted by August 1, 2026, though submissions for future projects are welcome throughout the year. Projects should give students the autonomy to design, build, and test solutions with proven technologies in the scope of an academic year.
The mechanical engineering capstone program groups teams of four students with a faculty instructor and a client project to create innovations and build on existing strengths within the community, especially for historically marginalized groups, persons with disabilities, and groups experiencing disadvantages in the Wabash Valley. Recent projects have included an aid to reduce physical strain while moving trash cans, a greenhouse roof replacement for reTHink, a device to help children in Wabash Valley Crew transport their rowing shell, and interactive educational exhibits for the Gibson Allen Memorial Planetarium and the Montessori Academy of Terre Haute.
The department invites organizations, including municipal or nonprofit entities, or individuals who may benefit from student-led engineering solutions to submit project proposals. Project clients are expected to meet regularly with the student team throughout the academic year. Student teams are invited to demonstrate their completed project at the annual Rose Show held at the end of the year and retain the intellectual property rights to their projects.
Clients are strongly encouraged to provide financial support for their projects when possible, though a limited number of donor-supported funds are available for select community projects. Client investment helps offset project costs and promotes a stronger sense of ownership and commitment to the project’s success.
Project submissions can be sent to Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and mechanical engineering capstone coordinator Shraddha Sangelkar, PhD, at mecapstone@rose-hulman.edu. Visit the program website for more information.
The mechanical engineering capstone program groups teams of four students with a faculty instructor and a client project to create innovations and build on existing strengths within the community, especially for historically marginalized groups, persons with disabilities, and groups experiencing disadvantages in the Wabash Valley. Recent projects have included an aid to reduce physical strain while moving trash cans, a greenhouse roof replacement for reTHink, a device to help children in Wabash Valley Crew transport their rowing shell, and interactive educational exhibits for the Gibson Allen Memorial Planetarium and the Montessori Academy of Terre Haute.
The department invites organizations, including municipal or nonprofit entities, or individuals who may benefit from student-led engineering solutions to submit project proposals. Project clients are expected to meet regularly with the student team throughout the academic year. Student teams are invited to demonstrate their completed project at the annual Rose Show held at the end of the year and retain the intellectual property rights to their projects.
Clients are strongly encouraged to provide financial support for their projects when possible, though a limited number of donor-supported funds are available for select community projects. Client investment helps offset project costs and promotes a stronger sense of ownership and commitment to the project’s success.
Project submissions can be sent to Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and mechanical engineering capstone coordinator Shraddha Sangelkar, PhD, at mecapstone@rose-hulman.edu. Visit the program website for more information.