The bomb squad exploded a suspicious device left outside the Reed Union Building at Penn State Erie yesterday afternoon, but it turned out to be nothing more than a class project.

Ed Blaguszewski, manager of university relations at Penn State Erie, said shortly after 1 p.m. a student told a staff member about the device and the police were called. The Reed Union Building, the Library/Academic Building and Glenhill Farmhouse, an administration building, were evacuated. Classes were soon back on schedule and the buildings had reopened by 2:30.

By late afternoon, it was determined that the device was a project for a product design class. The student left it outside when he went into the building. The device, intended to be a mechanical submarine, was a potato chip can with wires and circuit boards and stuffed with newspaper. The student later realized that his project was connected to the incident.

Blaguszewski said no charges will be filed against the responsible student.