More than 1,300 Idaho students to convene in STEM innovation showcase at Engineering Design EXPO, Invent Idaho State Finals
April 22, 2025
MOSCOW, Idaho 鈥� More than 1,300 Idaho students will gather on 果冻传媒麻豆社鈥檚 Moscow campus during two of the state鈥檚 largest STEM innovation showcase events, the U of I Engineering Design EXPO聽and Invent Idaho State Finals on Friday, April 25.
The public is invited to experience the many ways Idaho students are making a difference and solving real-world problems at these free, all-day events.
U of I Engineering Design EXPO
U of I student teams will present projects from 9 a.m. to noon during EXPO in the . Project details are available to browse online.
EXPO projects include one of the first NASA-patented proof of concept Prandtl-D flying wing to demonstrate the commercial viability of tailless unmanned aerial vehicles. Looking like a boomerang, the Prandtl-D design mimics bird flight, using twists in its wingtips for maneuvering. The unique design reduces drag, and NASA research indicates a 12% reduction in fuel consumption.
Student projects are the culmination of the U of I College of Engineering鈥檚 Interdisciplinary Capstone Design Program, recognized by the National Academy of Engineering as one of the top seven in the nation for infusing real-world experiences into undergraduate education.
The public is also invited to the EXPO鈥檚 keynote address presented by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) President David Whitehead at 12:30 p.m.鈥痠n the ICCU Arena.
Whitehead joined SEL in 1994 as a hardware engineer and since then has held various roles, including chief operating officer and CEO. He led SEL鈥檚 research and development division for over a decade, earning more than 70 patents for innovations in power grid protection and cybersecurity.
Invent Idaho State Finals
This year, U of I College of Engineering is partnering with Idaho鈥檚 leading innovation and entrepreneurial learning nonprofit鈥�痶o deliver opportunities to young inventors across the state.
Celebrating 35 years,鈥疘nvent Idaho鈥痙elivers innovation and entrepreneurial learning opportunities statewide. The program is one of the leading informal invention learning programs in the United States and a founding member of the鈥�.
A public showroom will be open 3-5 p.m. in the (IRIC). The public is invited to explore inventions and entrepreneurial projects from 150 young inventors in first through 12th grade from schools across Idaho.
Judges will score student projects and finalists will be recognized at the Invent Idaho State Finals award ceremony Saturday, April 26. Finalists will be invited to compete at in Dearborn, Michigan, in early June.
MEDIA NOTE: EXPO student teams are available for interview. Contact Alexiss Turner at alexisst@uidaho.edu to schedule. Reporters and photographers are invited to attend the Invent Idaho State Finals Award Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, in the International Ballroom.
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Media Contact:
Alexiss Turner
Marketing & Communications Manager
College of Engineering鈥�
208-885-7511
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About the 果冻传媒麻豆社
The 果冻传媒麻豆社, home of the Vandals, is Idaho鈥檚 land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d鈥橝lene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.