Engineering Expo foreshadows future of technology

From a wireless camera to an "electronic mouse," Engineering students gave onlookers a glimpse into the future at the first-ever "Engineering Expo" yesterday. The showcase was held in Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge and was sectioned into ten booths representative of the various majors and academic societies within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. According to Engineering Student Activities Council President Vicky Choy, an Engineering junior, the idea behind the exposition was "to educate the Penn community about engineering, and serve as a place for students interested in engineering to find out about each of the majors." One group of participants represented Penn Toys, a student organization which designs toys and therapeutic devices for children afflicted with cerebral palsy. The individual toys are tailored to meet the physical needs of these children, who have impaired motor skills and often cannot even unclench their fists. The finished projects are donated to the Children's Seashore House of the Children's Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. According to John Kung, an Engineering senior, Penn Toys has been featured on CNN, "CBS This Morning", and in the Ladies' Home Journal. Engineering senior Shanti Venkata, also a bioengineering major, commented that the toys "keep in mind the kids." One exhibit focused on the "Penn Submersible Imaging Vehicle Project," which involves the design of a cordless, underwater camera for use in the New Jersey State Aquarium. Other exhibits included a computerized "mouse" which could find an optimal path through a unique maze, a computer chip pingpong game, and 16-foot suspension bridge constructed from building blocks. According to Society of Women Engineers member Nicole Miller, an Engineering freshman, "engineering is making its own in business and pre-law -- law schools are looking for cognitive thinking."