Engineering Capstone Showcase Revealed: 2025 Spring College of Engineering and Technology Capstone

2025 Spring College of Engineering and Technology Capstone Showcase

Project Overview

The 2025 Spring College of Engineering and Technology Capstone Showcase at Grand Canyon University featured a wide range of innovative projects, including a real-time outdoor visual alert system designed to prevent heat-related illnesses on Arizona hiking trails. This project, titled the Preventative Hiking Injury Initiative, aims to provide hikers with critical information about potential dangers when the weather outside is more frightful than delightful. According to software engineering senior Samson Becenti, the goal is to prevent people from getting heat-related illnesses, which is a significant concern in Arizona’s extreme heat.

The project was one of 121 presented on the Quad and in Global Credit Union Arena, showcasing the diverse range of talents and interests among the students. The Preventative Hiking Injury Initiative was connected to the city through the Connective, a nonprofit that builds partnerships to solve city challenges. The team’s work has also been recognized at the Connected 2025 expo of government leaders and technology innovators.

Technology and Design

The real-time outdoor visual alert system employs a range of technologies, including an LED signage system, a raspberry pi computer, and sensors that collect temperature and humidity data. The system uses machine learning to calculate the heat index and display visual warnings based on National Weather Service thresholds. It also features a camera for object detection and only activates when hikers are nearby. When temperatures are deemed dangerous for hiking – for a heat index of 98 and above – the sign will flash red from its usual green, when hiking’s a go, and yellow, when hikers should take extra precautions.

The system’s design takes into account the harsh desert elements, with the LED signage system housed in a weatherproof enclosure. The team’s attention to detail and commitment to using cutting-edge technology have resulted in a robust and effective system that has the potential to make a significant impact on reducing heat-related illnesses on Arizona hiking trails.

Implementation and Future Plans

The Preventative Hiking Injury Initiative has made significant progress, with a city planning company working to get the visual alert system placed at the Echo Canyon Trailhead leading up to the Camelback Mountain summit. While the team has faced challenges, including the slow pace of the government process, they have persevered and are committed to seeing the project through to completion. As mechanical engineering major Eric Trickey noted, the experience has been valuable, as it has provided a realistic understanding of the process and the importance of collaboration and perseverance.

The two-semester capstone process has been a lead-up to graduation, with students completing projects that demonstrate all they’ve learned in their academic careers at GCU. The range of projects presented at the showcase was impressive, with everything from a solar cooking stone to autonomous delivery robots and an automated cookie dough divider. The showcase highlighted the diversity of talents and interests among the students and the potential for innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Growth and Interdisciplinary Collaborations

Increased Industry Partnerships

Unionjournalism has seen a significant increase in industry partnerships, with 18 partners working with students this year, compared to none in the first year. This growth is a testament to the value that industry partners place on the skills and talents of GCU students. According to CET assistant professor Samantha Russell, the increase in industry partnerships is a key factor in the growth mindset of the college, as it provides students with opportunities to work on real-world projects and develop practical skills.

The partnerships have also led to a range of innovative projects, including the Preventative Hiking Injury Initiative, which was connected to the city through the Connective. The collaborations have provided students with valuable experience and have helped to foster a sense of community and cooperation between industry partners and the university.

Interdisciplinary Collaborations

The College of Engineering and Technology has placed a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaborations, recognizing the value of bringing together students from different disciplines to work on complex problems. This approach has led to the development of innovative solutions, such as the Preventative Hiking Injury Initiative, which combines technology, engineering, and design to address a real-world problem.

This year, the college piloted a collaboration with entrepreneurial students from the Colangelo College of Business, with 10 business students presenting with teams. The partnership has provided students with a unique opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in a real-world context, working on projects that have the potential to make a significant impact.

Implications for Students

The growth in industry partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations has significant implications for students, providing them with opportunities to develop practical skills and gain real-world experience. According to Russell, the collaborations have helped students to develop a growth mindset, recognizing the value of teamwork, perseverance, and innovation. The partnerships have also provided students with a network of contacts and connections in their chosen field, which can be invaluable in their future careers.

The range of projects presented at the showcase demonstrated the diversity of talents and interests among the students, from a solar cooking stone to autonomous delivery robots and an automated cookie dough divider. The projects highlighted the potential for innovative solutions to real-world problems and the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in addressing complex challenges.

The showcase also highlighted the value of the two-semester capstone process, which provides students with the opportunity to work on a project that demonstrates all they’ve learned in their academic careers at GCU. The process has been invaluable in helping students to develop their skills and knowledge, preparing them for success in their future careers.

• The increase in industry partnerships has provided students with opportunities to work on real-world projects and develop practical skills.
• The interdisciplinary collaborations have led to the development of innovative solutions, such as the Preventative Hiking Injury Initiative.
• The partnerships have helped students to develop a growth mindset, recognizing the value of teamwork, perseverance, and innovation.
• The range of projects presented at the showcase demonstrated the diversity of talents and interests among the students.
• The two-semester capstone process has been invaluable in helping students to develop their skills and knowledge, preparing them for success in their future careers.