More than 1,300 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ students to convene in STEM innovation showcase at Engineering Design EXPO, Invent ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ State Finals
April 22, 2025
MOSCOW, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ â€” More than 1,300 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ students will gather on ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Moscow campus during two of the state’s largest STEM innovation showcase events, the U of I Engineering Design EXPO and Invent ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ State Finals on Friday, April 25.
The public is invited to experience the many ways ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 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’s 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’s keynote address presented by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) President David Whitehead at 12:30 p.m. in 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’s research and development division for over a decade, earning more than 70 patents for innovations in power grid protection and cybersecurity.
Invent ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ State Finals
This year, U of I College of Engineering is partnering with ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s leading innovation and entrepreneurial learning nonprofit  to deliver opportunities to young inventors across the state.
Celebrating 35 years, Invent ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ delivers 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 .
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 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.
Judges will score student projects and finalists will be recognized at the Invent ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 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 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 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 
208-885-7511
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About the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ
The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, home of the Vandals, is ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 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.