BCoE teams end year with success, plan for next competitions
August 26, 2013
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Hoping to build on last year’s successes, many Bagley College of Engineering design teams look to start the fall semester with new members and fresh ideas.
Starting tomorrow, August 27, these teams will begin holding interest meetings for students—both engineering and, in many cases, non-engineering majors—who would like to join their efforts for the 2013-14 school year.
Teams and their information are listed below (alphabetically):
ASCE Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge and Timber Bridge
Each year, the Mississippi State chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers participates in three competitions: concrete canoe, steel bridge and timber bridge. The teams finished, respectively, first and third regionally, and first nationally. Team’s entries are judged on creativity, strength, performance, and a host of other categories.
Mississippi State’s chapter adviser Seamus Freyne said that there are no limits to how many students can be on each team, and he encourages anyone who is interested to join.
The chapter meets every two weeks to discuss team activities. Follow @MSUASCE on Twitter for updates or contact Freyne at freyne@cee.msstate.edu for more information.
ASME Robotics, Battle Bots and NASA Lunar Bot Competition
In addition to its established teams, Mississippi State’s chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers plans to enter three competitions for the first time this year: ASME Student Mechanism and Robot Design, Battlebots and the NASA Lunar Bot Competition.
Participation in ASME is open to any major. Like Mississippi State ASME on Facebook for information about the Bulldog chapter. Questions about participation can be directed to the Facebook page or chapter president Tausif Jamal at tj411@msstate.edu.
EcoCAR2: Plugging in to the future
A four time national champion, Mississippi State’s Advanced Vehicular Design Team wants everyone to know: It’s not just for mechanical engineers. With more than 20 students currently on its roster, it is open to any major on campus.
Currently preparing for the third and final year of the EcoCAR2 competition, the team will spend the next nine months making its redesigned Chevrolet Malibu market-ready by refining the vehicle and adding an onboard “infotainment” system. The team has technical groups that focus on the mechanical, electrical, controls and emissions of the vehicle, while non-technical groups handle the business aspect, website and graphic design, marketing, communications, and educational outreach.
The team’s first interest meeting of the semester will be Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. in Carpenter 112. Like Mississippi State EcoCAR2 Team on Facebook or visit www.msuecocar2.com for more information.
Formula SAE
Those who feel the need for speed might be interested in Mississippi State’s Formula SAE racing team. Each year the team designs and fabricates a new car to field in the annual competition, which includes endurance, maneuverability and performance tests, as well as evaluations of the racecar’s design and cost report.
Like Mississippi State Formula SAE on Facebook, follow @MSU_FSAE on Twitter or visit www.sae.org.msstate.edu for more information about the team.
Team leader Dash Robinson said anyone interested in joining can contact him at dashsrobinson@gmail.com, message the Facebook page, or stop by Patterson 201-S to sign up. He urges new members to come early because the team hopes to start work on the new car very soon.
Human Powered Vehicle
Following its inaugural competition last spring, Mississippi State’s Human Powered Vehicle team is eager to get started on the 2013-14 challenge. ASME chapter chair Jamal said the team learned a lot during its first outing in the established competition, and plans to use that knowledge to start a new winning tradition at MSU.
Jamal explained that a human powered vehicle is something like a bicycle that can be driven for extended periods of time at speeds of up to 40 mph without being effected by weather or the need to refuel. Entries are judged on performance, innovation and practicality.
Participation on the team is open to any major. Like Mississippi State Human Powered Vehicle Challenge on Facebook or contact team leaders Jonathan Pegeus, jwp268@msstate.edu, or Matt Hoffman, mh1211@msstate.edu, for more information.
Space Cowboys
A perennial contender in the NASA University Student Launch Initiative, the Mississippi Space Cowboys team hopes to continue its success by recruiting new members who love space, rockets or are just eager for a new challenge.
The annual NASA competition asks teams to design and build a rocket that can reach up to a mile in altitude while accomplishing a specific scientific mission that is different each year. In addition to the design, fabrication, construction and fine-tuning of the rocket, the team must also engage in educational outreach and communications activities.
Membership is open to all majors. Like MSU Space Cowboys on Facebook, follow @MSUSpaceCowboys on Twitter, or visit www.msuspacecowboys.org for more information about the team, including announcements about meeting times and locations.
Xipiter: Unmanned Aerial Systems
Each year, team Xipiter takes to the skies above Maryland without ever leaving the ground. Throughout the academic year the multi-disciplinary team designs and builds an unmanned aerial system that can complete a specific mission autonomously.
While each year’s competition specifics are different, the mission typically requires the use of onboard visual systems and air-to-ground telemetry. Teams are judged on their ability to complete the mission, as well as the design and performance of their vehicles.
The team’s first interest meetings of the year will be September 10 in Walker and September 12 in Simrall. More details will be announced closer to time. Like Xipiter UAS Integrated Products Team on Facebook, follow @Xawk on Twitter, or visit www.xipiter.org for more information about the team. Email questions to xipiter-leads@googlegroups.com.
Other Bagley College teams will launch their recruiting efforts in the spring. Please continue to check the Bagley College of Engineering’s website and Facebook page for updates.
If your team is currently recruiting new members, but is not listed above, please send the necessary information to slassetter@bagley.msstate.edu.