A solar-powered iPod charger and a backpack containing inflatable pouches that could help a backcountry skier "float" to the top of an avalanche are among approximately 50 engineering student inventions that will be demonstrated at the University of Colorado at Boulder's ITL Fall Design Expo Dec. 9.
The Expo is free and open to the public from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory, located on Regent Drive south of Colorado Avenue.
The Expo will showcase the work of nearly 300 undergraduate engineering students. Families with children are especially encouraged to attend to learn about engineering and its role in solving today's challenges.
CU-Boulder student projects include innovative consumer products, assistive technology for people with disabilities, Lego robots and Rube Goldberg contraptions, which perform simple tasks such as making a snow cone or other treat, in complex ways. Other student teams have designed and built sensors for various purposes, such as tracking how late a bus is running or measuring light usage in an unoccupied room.
Volunteers from industry, government and the community will serve as judges, rating each project on its originality, craftsmanship, understanding of engineering principles, effectiveness and presentation. An awards ceremony will be held at the close of the event. Members of the community can vote for their favorite project to win the "People's Choice" award.
Free parking is available across the street in lot 436. For more information call (303) 492-7222.