Shrewsbury Resident Completes Intensive Research Project

From Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Benjamin Secino of Shrewsbury, Mass., a member of the class of 2020 majoring in robotics engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense, hands-on research project in Massachusetts. The project was titled Stormwater Runoff Reduction on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Campus. In their project summary, the students wrote, "For our project, we worked with WPI Facilities to develop a plan to more effectively manage stormwater runoff in one area of campus."

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 40-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."

Image via Shuttershock