Purdue University Polytechnic Institute of Columbus hosts inaugural event to showcase student prototypes and foster innovation
In a bid to foster innovation and provide a platform for students to showcase their skills, the Purdue University Polytechnic Institute of Columbus is hosting the first-ever Accelera by Cummins Design and Innovation Challenge. This event brings together the brightest and most creative minds from the local campus to tackle real-world engineering and design challenges. Students enrolled in the required freshman-level course “Design Thinking in Technology” will compete for scholarships provided by Cummins, Inc., the event’s sponsor. The challenge aims to encourage the pursuit of implementation and find solutions to significant problems through teamwork and collaboration.
Unveiling Innovative Projects
Throughout the semester, five student teams have been developing different projects as part of the “Design Thinking in Technology” course. The nature of these projects has been kept secret, building anticipation for the big reveal at the Accelera by Cummins Design and Innovation Challenge. This event marks the culmination of the students’ coursework and serves as their final project. Each team has also created a prototype of their ideas using 3-D printers, showcasing their practical implementation skills.
A Chance at Scholarships
The Accelera by Cummins Design and Innovation Challenge offers students the opportunity to compete for scholarships totaling $10,000. The scholarships will be awarded as follows: $5,200 for the first prize, $3,200 for the second prize, and $1,600 for the crowd favorite. The funds will be distributed evenly among the students in the winning teams. This financial incentive adds an extra layer of motivation for the students to showcase their best work and impress the panel of judges from Cummins.
Presenting to the Judges
On the evening of the challenge, each team will have 15 minutes to present their projects in front of the panel of judges from Cummins. These judges, experts in the field of engineering and design, will evaluate the prototypes and assess the students’ ability to address real-world challenges. The presentations will provide an opportunity for the students to demonstrate their innovation, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The winners will be announced at the end of the evening, with awards presented to the deserving teams.
A Path to the Future
The Purdue University Polytechnic Institute of Columbus aims to make the Accelera by Cummins Design and Innovation Challenge an annual event. In the future, Cummins may even develop a design idea or topic for students to address, focusing on real-world applications that align with the company’s decarbonization and hydrogen energy initiatives. The competition has the potential to expand to other campuses, including Ivy Tech and IUPUC, fostering collaboration and involving more students in generating innovative ideas.
Conclusion:
The Accelera by Cummins Design and Innovation Challenge at the Purdue University Polytechnic Institute of Columbus is not only a platform for students to showcase their skills but also an opportunity to foster innovation and collaboration. With scholarships on the line, the challenge motivates students to push their boundaries and develop practical solutions to real-world problems. As this inaugural event sets the stage for future challenges, the hope is to continue nurturing the creativity and talent of the students while aligning their ideas with Cummins’ clean energy technology brand. The Accelera by Cummins Design and Innovation Challenge promises to be an exciting event that showcases the ingenuity and potential of the next generation of engineers and designers.
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