CHENEY – Students at Eastern Washington University’s ME/MET Fall Quarter Capstone Expo unveiled a series of groundbreaking projects that melded engineering prowess with real-world applications. From an automatic golf ball tee-up system to an ultralight coffee press and a motor rocket launch pad, these innovative projects displayed the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and interdisciplinary learning.
Cooper Harris, a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student, spearheaded the development of the “Easy Tee,” an automatic golf ball tee-up system. Cooper explained, “It’s constantly checking the ambient light, and when it gets triggered, it raises up the tee.” The system offers customization for different golfing styles, allowing users to press a button to raise the tee by a precise ¼ inch.
Reflecting on the classes that led to this capstone project, Cooper shared, “Robotics, statics, fluid dynamics, all physics, all math, all the way to calculus 4 and differential equations.” When asked about the experience of being at the Expo, he expressed, “It feels pretty good; we spent a lot of nights staying up late to make sure it worked.”
Daniel Castro, 28, and Dalton Feist, 21, led the team behind the Ultralight Coffee Press. Daniel noted, “We wanted to make a more compact coffee press that was lighter to compete with the aeropress.” Dalton added, “Our goal is to make an even lighter weight coffee press for backpacking.”
To ensure minimal leakage, Dalton mentioned, “We used different seals, and the lid doubles as a tapper.” The team’s dedication to creating a durable and lightweight coffee press for outdoor enthusiasts shone through in their meticulous design and testing.
Israel Yaktin, 21, discussed their motor rocket launch pad project, stating, “It’s a motor rocket launch pad. It can launch any number of rockets.” This project, planned for use by the cub scouts, enables the selection and launch of multiple rockets, offering an engaging educational experience.
When asked about the project’s difficulty, Israel acknowledged, “Yes. We’re in mechanical engineering, and this is very electrical.” Henry Allen, 23, emphasized the steep learning curve, saying, “I feel like I’ve had to learn about 3 courses worth of material just to figure this one project out.” The team even prepared a manual and expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to their project’s success.
The ME/MET Expo showcased not just technical ingenuity but also the determination and collaborative spirit of these students. As the projects were unveiled, it was evident that these young engineers were not just solving problems; they were crafting solutions that could impact industries and enhance experiences.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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