MCC Places Third in National Engineering Competition

At Middlesex Community College, practical experience is vital to student success. Middlesex Professor Cristopher Algarra led a team of three engineering students – Xynone Cabal, Justin Murphy and Andre Reyes – to participate in the ATEA 3D Futures Competition sponsored by Dessault Systemes. The team built an automated bottle filling machine from scratch and placed third in the national competition.

Algarra has wanted to lead a research project since he first started at MCC three years ago. Thanks to LSAMP – a program offering support for minority students interested in research projects and conferences – the project was greenlit. Algarra selected students from three of the major Engineering disciplines – Environmental, Civil and Mechanical – in order to bring in diverse mindsets and learning experiences.

During what should have been everyone’s summer break, the team worked an average of eight hours a day through June, July and August. The third place designation is an excellent reward, but Professor Algarra considers finishing the project to be an accomplishment of its own.

Algarra describes a near-disastrous experience that almost ended the project when water flooded the system and the machine started smoking. They called it quits that afternoon, but the students were determined and emailed him the next day asking for another shot. Their persistence worked.

“Putting your students into a challenge drives their motivation, which makes them do great things,” Algarra said. “Projects and certifications can show that here at Middlesex, we take into consideration every little step of how to be a great engineer or technician.”

Cabal is considering her next options and plans to attend a state university to major in Environmental Science. At Middlesex, she majored in Civil and Environmental Engineering and was an Orientation Leader, OSE Office Assistant, LSAMP scholar and participant of a few clubs. She calls MCC “home” and with this project, appreciated the real-life experience she was offered.

“I wanted to be educated on how projects are run from start to finish,” Cabal said. “To me, joining this project meant that I could tell future employers that I have experience working in the field. It has given me the experience needed to be competitive because I now know the technologies that are industry standard.”

At MCC, Reyes majored in Computer Engineering, was an LSAMP scholar and participated in STEM club. He is continuing his Computer Engineering major at UMass Lowell and wants to minor in Robotics because of his experience with the project.

“Because of this project I was able to broaden my knowledge of different parts of the process as well as have a reason to jump head first into learning new skills in order to complete the project,” he said. “It was a grand experience to have the opportunity to meet Professor [Michelle] Stein and Professor Algarra through STEM club and being an LSAMP scholar. Their teaching and guidance motivated me and gave me confidence to continue my career in engineering.”

Now at UMass Lowell, Murphy is continuing his education in Mechanical Engineering. At MCC, he participated in LSAMP and STEM Club and felt these experiences – along with his studies – prepared him with a solid foundation.

“I absolutely loved my time at Middlesex,” he said. “I acquired many skills and a valuable education. The professors at Middlesex are amazing, especially Professor Algarra and Professor Stein. They really care about their student’s success both in the classroom and in life – and they definitely made a major impact on my experience.”

Algarra sees value in assigning projects to all of his classes, including having the students present their work. Before teaching, he worked as an engineer and discovered his passion for higher education while working as a student teacher at Merrimack College. He especially appreciates all that Middlesex has afforded him and his students.

“It’s amazing the things you can see at community colleges and the opportunities that students can get,” he said. “I’m a big promoter of community colleges now – I think the students can start their education at an affordable rate and find amazing opportunities.”

To learn more about MCC’s Engineering Science Program, contact Department Chair Michele Stein at steinm@middlesex.mass.edu or call 781-280-3932. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/stem/engscitran.aspx for more information.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!