Bill Middleton, an environmental technologist in civil and environmental engineering, explains a biofuel cell to a group of prospective students in the Environmental Lab.
Faculty, staff members, and current engineering students greeted prospective students and their guests at Engineering’s Academic Open House on Saturday, May 14.
Students were provided a brief overview of the faculty’s academic programs, support initiatives, and awards/scholarships that are available. Afterwards, they were split into groups to collaborate in mock engineering proposals, tour various research labs, view demonstrations, and participate in self-guided tours while staff, faculty, and students answered questions.
The welcome group speakers included:
- Bill Van Heyst, dean of engineering;
- Jennifer Johrendt, associate dean of student affairs, WINONE;
- Giselle St. Louis, clinical therapist; and
- Mike Konstantino, engineering outreach program coordinator.
Tour highlights included:
- electrical, mechanical, and industrial research and capstone project displays in the Capstone Courtyard
- civil engineering structural monitoring demonstration and 3-D printed housing display in the structures lab
- electrical engineering demo and display in the undergraduate circuits lab
- environmental engineering
- mechatronics display in the mechatronics lab
Hearing about Engineering’s specific programs is one matter; however, getting a firsthand taste from all engineering programs in a state-of-the art facility is truly another and one that provided an enlightening learning experience for the prospective students.
“It was really interesting to see the different branches that Engineering offers,” says May-Ling To, a grade 12 student from Kingsville District High School. “It’s definitely more impressive and the information sticks to your mind better to actually see the labs and the demonstrations rather than just reading about it.”
“I saw and learned a lot more today than I knew before,” adds Aidan Strasser, a transfer student from another Ontario university. “For example, I thought Mechanical Engineering is primarily about cars, Civil Engineering is about structures, and Environmental Engineering is about environmental impact. But it’s a lot more than that after viewing the demos and speaking with professors.”
Brady Melton, a grade 12 student from Lambton Central Collegiate & Vocational Institute says he looks forward to a rewarding academic experience balanced with healthy student life. “I feel I’ll be able to learn a lot here. The facility is new and that’s important,” says Melton. “My timing and interest in automotive engineering couldn’t have been better with Stellantis and the new electric car battery lab. School has always been my #1 priority and will continue to be, but I also hope to continue playing sports and get involved in other on-campus activities as well.”
To learn more about WINONE, Office for First Year Engineering, please contact winone@uwindsor.ca.
To learn more about Engineering’s Outreach programs, please contact Mike Konstantino.
-Gam Macasaet