Washington State University students are working with the city of Moscow’s Disability Action Center Northwest to improve their offices.
The work is an opportunity for students to get real-world experience while helping out their community.
The students in WSU’s student chapter of Engineers in Action developed and are building an awning for the center’s offices, located in downtown Moscow.
The students developed plans for the awning, got city approval, and worked with contractors and fabricators to build it. The student club, which includes about 10 engineering students, will help with bolting the steel awning into place and installing the plexiglass at the disability center starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 16.
The project was originally a senior design project for mechanical engineering students who graduated in 2024. Associate Professor Nandita Biswas and Assistant Professor Jonathan Steffens in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering serve as advisors for the club and asked the student group if they wanted to finish the project. Working with Jesse Weaver, an instructor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering who became a mentor for the project, the students first converted the work into formal drawing plans and then worked to obtain city approval for the project.
“None of us have had experience with creating plans before, so that is our first time going through that,” said Haley Boileau, a senior in civil engineering and the project lead.
I tell my students that every engineering project — even the smallest ones — have some level of complexity, and you need to use your engineering skills and judgement.
Jesse Weaver, instructor
Washington State University
The project provides a hands-on engineering project while it allowed the disability center to save costs by working with the students.
“I tell my students that every engineering project — even the smallest ones — have some level of complexity, and you need to use your engineering skills and judgement,” said Weaver. “I was proud of how the students solved issues — they talked to the right people and have gotten the right information they need and acquired the skills to be able to do this well.”
Boileau has an interest in environmental engineering and water systems. The student group is also working on a water distribution system for Altamira, Bolivia, set for installation this summer. Still, delving into structural issues with the awning was new for her and a good challenge.
“It gives you out-of-class experience, especially with communicating with a lot of different stakeholders,” she said.
The project provided invaluable experience for the students, added Weaver.
“In classrooms, the students get a lot of theory and the tools they need to do this, but with this practical experience they did a good job, especially with putting plans together, putting a calculation package together, and getting it ready and then approved by the city,” he said. “They’re going to be valuable employees — just on the basis of this project.”
