Redesigned wheelchairs, petri-dish packaging and new workplace layouts have been all in a semester's work for Penn State senior engineering students.

These were among the projects that mechanical, electrical and industrial engineering students presented at The Learning Factory Project Showcase yesterday in Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center. The students have spent the semester working in groups of four on projects sponsored by real-world companies.

"The companies want some problem solved by students, and they contact us. They give some money, some of which goes to the upkeep of The Learning Factory, and some to students," said Savas Yavuzkurt, professor of mechanical engineering.

All of the work was done in The Learning Factory, located in West Campus, which according to its Web site, www.lf.psu.edu, is "an industry-university partnership to produce world-class engineers by integrating design, manufacturing, and business realities into the engineering curriculum."

Industry sponsors judged each group's project and poster, which displayed the group's solution. Two first prizes were awarded to the United Parcel Service (UPS) Helper Bike group and the Invitrogen-sponsored Media Plate Labeling and Packaging Design group. Both groups were given trophies, Penn State Bookstore gift certificates and checks funded by Lockheed Martin.

The winning UPS Helper Bike group was tasked with redesigning the tricycle-trailer vehicle that part-time workers use when delivering packages during the Christmas season.

"By far, the largest problem was that the device was unappealing to the part-time helper," a group member explained to the audience as he accepted the award.

The Media Plate Labeling group, charged with finding a better way to store petri dishes in plastic bags, used less expensive equipment and ties rather than rubber bands.

"It's a problem related to real life," Pallav Tamaskar (senior-industrial engineering) said. "I think the group worked really hard on the project and had a good relationship with our sponsors and teachers." He attributed these relationships to the group's success.

There were other various awards, including best poster, which went to the Sentry 1st Storm Alerts group.

"They were the first to have something light up on their poster, so I think they are going to set the bar for all posters in the future," John Lamancusa, professor of mechanical engineering, said.

First-year engineering students also took part in the showcase, presenting their projects made to help subsistence farmers in Kenya. Penn State Engineers for a Sustainable World sponsored all first-year work.

Yavuzkurt also said part of what makes the showcase project worthwhile is the opportunity for employment after college.

"They develop good relations with their sponsors," he said.

Lamancusa seemed pleased as he recognized the award winners and asked for all the groups' posters.

"You guys did some great work," he said. "We want to be able to brag about it in the future."