CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Tech Showcase spotlights student capstone projects from dozens of programs

At the April 22 event at the Cambridge - Fountain Street campus, students from more than 20 programs explained and demonstrated projects to a panel of industry representatives, who picked the awards recipients from both schools. The awards are based on four criteria: first impression, quality, skills and creativity.

"The showcase not only highlighted the technical skills of the students, but also their ability to address real-world challenges through creativity and collaboration," said Andrea Julio, program manager in the School of Engineering & Technology.

Mastercraft Award recipients:

* Preggo AI by Nishita Deswal, Shai Karmani and Lucas Quilaguy Vivanco, IT Innovation and Design

* The Well Collective; Coworking Cafe & Movement Studios by Sydney Detweiler, Bachelor of Interior Design

OACETT GVC Honourable Mention recipients:

* SafeStep by Evan Pogue, Thomas Audet and Kushika Senera, Software Engineering Technology

* Mix-Master by Trey Costello, Aidan Currell, Charlie Weston and Delano Otero, Electrical Engineering Technology and Energy Systems Engineering Technology - Electrical.

Projects on display were wide ranging, from an AI-powered drawing assistant to an app connecting micro-investors and small businesses to a turbine powered by manure.

Packaging Engineering Technician students Bhavjal Kaur, Harsh Choudhary and Yena Shin created dog raincoats made from single-use plastic, such as packaging for beverage cases.

"Our slogan is save your dog, save the planet,' " Shin said.

They learned about the properties of the plastic, including being heat sealable, in the classroom and realized it would be an ideal material to create raincoats for the huge pet market. Dog owners will appreciate the low cost, and the environment benefits from the reuse of an available material that can be recycled rather than tossed when the raincoat needs replacing.

Mastercraft Award recipient Sydney Detweiler aimed to design a co-working space that also offered opportunities to enjoy physical activity, healthy food and socializing with the Well Collective.

"We're not just making an aesthetic space, but we're actually making it work."

Detweiler incorporated all the knowledge learned during her four-year degree, including making detailed construction schematics with electrical and HVAC systems while being sure to meet building codes. Only after that comes the details of surface materials, furnishings and signage to create a welcoming space.  

Detweiler said it was bittersweet to finish her design, but she was pleased with this new human-centric model for a workspace she created.

"It's exciting to complete such a large project," she said. "It definitely feels great. This project was incredible."

Conestoga's School of Engineering & Technology offers a comprehensive suite of engineering and technology programs with a wide range of credentials. The School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology offers leading-edge programs that prepares students for an exciting career in the innovative world of information and communications technology.