2 Oxford Residents Return from Intensive Research Projects

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Students Return from Intensive Research Projects

WORCESTER, MASS. -- The following students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) recently completed intense, hands-on research projects.
Noah Budris of Oxford, Conn., a member of the class of 2020 majoring in mechanical engineering, was a member of a student team that completed a project in Santa Fe. The project was titled Interactive Museum Exhibit Featuring Pueblo Influence on New Mexican Contemporary Architecture.

In their project summary the students wrote, "Indigenous communities often face cultural misrepresentation in educational areas such as museums. This report examines the manifestation of this problem within Puebloan architecture in New Mexico."

Shaye Johnstone of Oxford, Conn., a member of the class of 2020 majoring in chemical engineering, was a member of a student team that completed a project in Boston. The project was titled Evaluation of the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance and Technology's Chemical Safety and Climate Change Resiliency Services.

In their project summary the students wrote, "The goal of our project was to assess the effectiveness of the MA Office of Technical Assistance and Technology's (OTA) climate change resiliency and chemical safety program."

At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue. About two-thirds of students complete a project at one of the university's 45-plus off-campus project centers, which are located around the world. A signature element of the innovative undergraduate experience at WPI, the project-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to develop thoughtful solutions to real problems that affect the quality of people's lives-and make a difference before they graduate.

"The WPI project-based curriculum brings students out of the classroom and their comfort zones and into the global community to apply their knowledge to solve real problems," said Professor Kent Rissmiller, interim dean of WPI's Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division. "Students are immersed in a new setting, solving open-ended problems and working with people of different backgrounds-all valuable perspectives for surviving and thriving in today's global marketplace. They also learn the meaning and magic of teamwork; make a real and meaningful difference in their host community; and gain a competitive edge for any resume, or graduate or professional school application."