Penn State Scranton’s Mechanical Engineering Students Set to Complete Innovation Challenges

We are inviting local companies, community organizations, and civic leaders to collaborate with Penn State Scranton’s Mechanical Engineering students through and innovative educational initiative supported by the Leonhard Center.

As part of the ME-340 Design Methodology course in Fall 2025, students will participate in Innovation Challenges – semester-long, team-based projects that tackle real world problems faced by local communities. These challenges encourage students to develop practical, value-driven solutions in areas such as energy efficiency, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and public health. We are seeking community partners with challenges relevant to their needs.

ME-340 Community-Focused Project Briefs

	Project Title	Challenge	Student Task
1	Affordable Heating Retrofit for Senior Homes	Many older residents in the region live in drafty, poorly insulated homes.	Design a low-cost, modular heating improvement system (e.g., window inserts, radiator reflectors, smart vents) that can be installed with minimal tools.
2	Smart Water Usage System for Local Gardens or Parks	Water conservation and maintenance in public spaces.	Develop a low-tech, IoT-based irrigation controller that optimizes watering schedules based on soil moisture or weather.
3	Accessibility Aid for Public Buildings or Local Events	Temporary ramps, guides, or tools are often lacking at local venues.	Design portable, collapsible accessibility tools (e.g., ramps, signage, mobile seating supports).
4	Community Composting System	Food waste is high; composting infrastructure is minimal.	Develop a modular composting bin system with odor control and usability in urban or semi-urban settings.
5	Snow & Ice Removal Assistive Tool	Elderly and disabled residents have difficulty clearing driveways and sidewalks.	Design a manually operated or low-powered snow/ice removal aid that is lightweight, safe, and easy to use.
6	Mobile Market Cart for Local Vendors	Local vendors struggle with transporting and displaying goods at pop-up events or farmers’ markets.	Design a durable, weather-resistant, foldable cart that serves as transport and display unit.
7	Emergency Power Backup System for Rural Clinics or Residences	Power outages can disrupt critical equipment use in homes and small clinics.	Design a basic, solar-powered or hand-crank backup system for low-wattage medical or communication devices.
8	Ergonomic Workstation for Remote Workers	Many rural residents have shifted to remote work but lack ergonomic setups.	Design a low-cost, adjustable desk system that supports health and productivity in small home spaces.
9	Community Tool Library Inventory & Checkout System	Shared tools often go missing or untracked in community lending libraries.	Develop a simple mechanical or digital system for tracking tool checkouts and returns.
10	Low-Tech Air Quality Monitor for Classrooms or Elderly Homes	Awareness of indoor air quality is limited in community spaces.	Design an easy-to-use air monitor using color-changing indicators or basic sensors.
11	Affordable Leaf Collection Machine for Small Backyards	During the fall season, residents with small backyards often struggle with managing large volumes of fallen leaves. Commercial leaf collection machines are often too expensive or too large for personal use.	Design a simple, affordable, and easy-to-store leaf collection device or machine suitable for small residential backyards. The design should consider ease of use, storage space, noise levels, and cost-effectiveness.