Purdue Engineering Education

05/19/2026

The Purdue Engineering Education proudly celebrates PhD graduates Jorge Cristancho, Andrew Gray, Rachel Higbee, and Leonardo Pollettini Marcos as they crossed the stage during Spring 2026 Commencement.

Thank you for your contributions to engineering education research, innovation, and student learning. Congratulations on this incredible achievement!

05/14/2026

05/14/2026

Congratulations graduating Purdue Multidisciplinary Engineering (MDE) and Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies (IDES) undergrads!

05/14/2026

Engineering meets engagement.

A Multidisciplinary Engineering student team at Purdue University developed an Animatronic Engineering Outreach Mascot for their senior capstone design project.

The animatronic purple squirrel serves as an interactive ambassador for the program, combining a plush design with motion, audio, and offline Q&A capabilities. It can greet visitors, answer common questions, and demonstrate how mechanical, electrical, and computing systems work together in a safe, reliable design.

05/08/2026

Join us in congratulating Maxell Lumbera on successfully defending his PhD prelim in Engineering Education!

Advised by Dr. Khairiyah Mohd-Yusof, with committee members Dr. Justin Hess, Dr. Syed Ahmad Helmi Syed Hassan, and Dr. Michelle Soledad (Virginia Tech), his research explores how engineering instructors in the Philippines shift toward student-centered teaching and the role of emotions in transformative learning.

We’re excited to see the impact of his work—congrats, Maxell!

05/06/2026

From orbit to the classroom. For their capstone design project, Multidisciplinary Engineering seniors developed a Classroom CubeSat Learning System for their senior capstone design project.

The low-cost, modular platform brings hands-on space systems learning into K–12 classrooms. Built with an Arduino-based core and swappable sensors, it allows students to run mission-style activities—collecting, analyzing, and transmitting data—through an accessible and scalable design.

05/06/2026

Making advanced imaging more accessible. For their capstone design project, Multidisciplinary Engineering seniors developed a Portable Biodynamic Imaging System.

The compact, user-friendly system simplifies complex optical setups, allowing biologists to measure intracellular motion without specialized training. By improving usability, alignment, and portability while maintaining accuracy, the design supports applications such as chemotherapy response prediction, IVF embryo selection, and agricultural research.

05/06/2026

Improving performance through inclusive design. For their capstone design project, Multidisciplinary Engineering seniors developed an adaptive wheelchair stability strap system for 1.0–2.5 classification wheelchair basketball athletes. The modular design features ratcheting waist belts, adjustable knee straps, footplates, and custom clamps to enhance trunk support, comfort, and durability.

Compared to existing solutions, the system is lightweight, cost-effective, and quick to adjust—helping athletes perform at a higher level with greater stability and confidence.

05/06/2026

Engineering meets engagement. For their capstone design project, Multidisciplinary Engineering seniors developed an Animatronic Engineering Outreach Mascot for their senior capstone design project.

The animatronic purple squirrel serves as an interactive ambassador for the program, combining a plush design with motion, audio, and offline Q&A capabilities. It can greet visitors, answer common questions, and demonstrate how mechanical, electrical, and computing systems work together in a safe, reliable design.

05/06/2026

Making music education more accessible. For their capstone design project, Multidisciplinary Engineering seniors developed a Treble Clef Learning Game for Early Readers as part of their senior capstone design project.

Designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind, the interactive toy helps children—especially those with dyslexia—learn to read musical notes through play. Notes light up at random, prompting players to select the correct response and receive visual feedback through illuminated snake rattles.

The result is an engaging, hands-on learning experience for children ages 5–7, as well as their families and music educators.