Organizations and Activities

The Association of Physics and Engineering Students

The Physics and Engineering Club is one aspect of the social scene. It organizes group events, field trips, picnics, sporting events, corporate tours, and participates in the community service event, "Into the Streets." Additionally, it fields an intramural softball team known affectionately as the Spectacular Weenies. Besides fun and games, many members of the Club also participate in tutoring which is offered on weekday evenings in the Hideaway.

Robotics and Machine Intelligence Club

This student-based club focuses on projects in robotics and artificial intelligence. Assorted research projects can be found at the webpage for the Robotics and Machine Intelligence Laboratory.

The Wunderbot autonomous robot has been entered in the national IGVC Competition in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Because of our small size and hands-on focus, students often become involved in these projects as early as their 1st year.

Future Energies and Sustainable Technologies Club

The student club FEAST is focused on projects and technologies that are cost-effective and have all the hallmarks of sustainability – long-life, high reliability, and low environmental impact. Two particular current projects are the Solar Cabin and Solar Boat.

Partners in Engineering

In 2008, the Living and Learning Community PiE was created. It was a great success. our student retention rate (the percentage of those declaring a major in engineering vs. those who intended to do so in the fall was dramatically improved from previous years. The students enjoy the peer learning experiences fostered by the accessibility of their physics classmates and their engineering project teammates. PiE students are housed together on the same floor of a dorm. There are many organized events for those students to participate in: an international food night, a "mystery artifact" night, a visit to a clock museum, trip to Whitaker Center, weekly tutoring sessions, etc.

The Hideaway

The Department of Physics and Engineering offers a comfortable lounge area for students. This room, located on the first floor of Esbenshade Hall, is primarily the home of the Physics and Engineering Club. It accommodates club meetings, activities, and (most importantly) allows a place for tutoring and studying. Student tutors are available in the evening, Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. The Hideaway houses physics and engineering journals and books and a collection of old devices and apparatus. Also (conveniently) located in the room is a hot-water dispenser for cocoa, coffee, and tea.