SEAS displays student projects

Students graced the halls of the Towne Building with projects ranging from artificial kidneys to an earthquake machine during Engineering Expo '96, which ended yesterday. The Expo, part of the School of Engineering and Applied Science's "Engineering Week," highlighted projects and displays from a pool of 28 organizations and departments. The Electrical Engineering exhibit won top honors at the event. The award-winning Electrical Engineering project consisted of several displays, including an "Inverted Pendulum" and a "Magnetic Levitator." "The projects made Electrical Engineering look interesting," Expo Task Group Chairperson Lia Sutanto said. "And that's what engineering is -- interesting." For their efforts, the students involved with the Electrical Engineering exhibit will receive an award at tonight's SEAS Awards Banquet. Expo '96 was kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday. As President Judith Rodin cut the red and blue ribbon, she commented on the attention the Engineering School has received lately. "ENIAC reminded everyone of the caliber of what is started here," she said. Sutanto said the event emphasized other facets of Engineering. "The Expo says, 'We don't just do ENIAC!'," she added. "Look at all this." Approximately 200 to 300 students examined the exhibits each day, according to Sutanto. "The idea is to attract new people to engineering," she explained. In fact, the Expo was intentionally scheduled to coincide with Penn Preview Week, a time when many prospective students visit the campus. "[The Expo] gives prospective freshmen a good idea of what's going on in Engineering," Engineering junior Deniz Cultu said. One table featured mechanized "mice" designed to run mazes. The Micromouse contest was sponsored by the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers. "The Micromouse contest has existed for over 20 years," Engineering senior Michael Mirmak said. "Philadelphia is just getting started." This year marks the second Expo held by the School of Engineering. "Last year, the Expo was much smaller," said Engineering Week Chairperson Boon Heon Tan, an Engineering senior. "There were just a few clubs. This year, we had a much bigger budget." Although Expo '96 officially ended yesterday, several of the exhibits will remain on the second floor of the Towne Building, according to Tan. Engineering Undergraduate Associate Dean David Pope said he believes the Expo was a success. "The purpose was to make students aware of research and projects going on within various organizations in the School of Engineering," he said. "It was a great opportunity for students to talk about what they do in their departments." Engineering Week will continue today with the Engineering Olympics. The SEAS Awards Banquet will take place tonight at the Sheraton in University City.

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