Student Helps Peers at new Design Center

Engineering students have new opportunities to work both in and out of class at the recently opened Engineering Design Center. The 5,000 square foot makerspace provides room for student collaboration, project storage, and plenty of tools for engineering projects. Annissa Lopez, a senior majoring in environmental engineering, is one of several design technicians hired to train fellow students to use the tools and to help them on an ongoing basis. She believes the EDC’s communal atmosphere will build confidence and proficiency.

“Maybe students won’t feel lost if they’re doing a project,” she said. “If they’re going to solder a piece of equipment that’s maybe too small or difficult or their hands are too shaky, they won’t feel trapped. They can just go to the person next to them, or one of us.”

After passing safety training, students can use equipment such as 3D printers, oscilloscopes and other electronics, and light machine tools. 

The Engineering Design Center serves as a precursor for the upcoming public face of the College of Engineering, the 100,000 square foot Student Design and Innovation Center.