Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hardboiled eggs and chocolate candies will be launched across a room as Hofstra first-year engineering students compete in the First Annual Grand Design Challenge to solve engineering problems ranging from NASA escape pods to fire department ladders for high-rise buildings.

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The competition, which is part of Hofstra's First-Year Connections Engineering Cluster program, will take place on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 from 11:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus.

Coordinated by Associate Professor of Engineering Mauro J. Caputi, Ph.D., the challenge will consist of teams of first-year students competing for the best designs to solve engineering problems using everyday materials such as poster board, twine, rubber bands, mailing tubes and duct tape.

"The beauty is that each of the four teams in a lab section is working on a different project, but all teams are restricted to using the same amount and type of materials," said Dr. Caputi. "This is similar to working in a large engineering firm on a large project requiring a multitude of teams.  Each team has their own project, but all the solutions have to fit together with one another toward the overall common goal."

The four design problems the student teams must solve are:

1- NASA needs an escape device that would allow launch pad crews and astronauts to leave the area quickly in case of a potentially explosive, toxic, or otherwise harmful situation. Design and construct a mechanical system that will launch a hard-boiled egg into the air and have it land as far from the launch point as possible. The egg must land totally intact.

2- Larger classes and larger lecture rooms make it difficult for instructors to toss candy rewards to specific students in the class. Also, the course CD is apparently a flop in the market and will no longer be needed for the class. To solve both problems at the same time, design and construct a mechanical system that will launch a Hershey’s chocolate Nugget (with almonds) taped to a CD so it hits an 8' x 8' target frame placed as far from the launch point as possible.

3- NASA is seeking conceptual ideas for the deployment of structures such as antennas and solar panels in spacecraft. Design and construct a mechanical system that will deploy a structure to reach as far from the origin point as possible.

4- The local fire department is looking for conceptual ideas for rescuing people in high-rise buildings. Design and construct a mechanical system that will deploy from a prescribed initial size to a freestanding structure that reaches as high as possible.

The Teams will compete for trophies and bragging rights, while all students will take a great sense of accomplishment with them as they progress to the next level in their Engineering program.  Likewise, their design experiences will help them in their advanced studies in Engineering.

Hofstra University's Department of Engineering offers undergraduate degree programs in Biomedical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering.  The programs focus on undergraduate education and research.  The Engineering program provides the intensity of instruction and personal contact with faculty of a small college with the breadth of curriculum and research opportunities of a large university.

Hofstra University's Department of Engineering offers Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited degree programs leading to a bachelor of engineering in engineering science, a bachelor of science in electrical engineering and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. In addition, the department offers non-ABET accredited, interdisciplinary degree programs leading to a bachelor of science in industrial engineering and a bachelor of arts in engineering science.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.