 |
Wilson Student Team Project Center |
 |
About the Wilson Center
The practice of engineering today and in the next century is and will continue to be characterized by groups of individuals working in diverse teams to find creative solutions to a variety of problems. One of the best ways for the College of Engineering students to gain critical hands-on design experience as well as important team, organizational, and management skills is through engineering design/build competitions. Student team projects provide practical design fabrication experience that complements classroom instruction in addition to real-life lessons in cooperation.
Michigan Engineering has actively promoted and supported these activities and student interest in team projects is growing. However, until today, these teams have been scattered throughout the College's campus, unable to take full advantage of learning from each other, identifying needed resources, and participating in special team building exercises. They have had to compete with department research and learning space, often moving from location to location and renting off-campus workspace.
The Walter E. Wilson Student Team Project Center meets a critical need by providing students with dedicated space and facilities for teams to compete nationally.
This 10,000-square-foot center, located behind the François-Xavier Bagnoud Building and adjacent to The Wave Field, represents a $3-million renovation commitment on the part of the College of Engineering, the University of Michigan, and numerous sponsors and donors. A bequest from Walter E. Wilson to the College provided the foundation for this financial support.
The result is a $5-million facility that houses space for design, assembly, machining, electronics, and painting is accessible to students 24-hours a day, seven days a week. A design room, a lecture room and a student lounge round out the center. In all, the Walter E. Wilson Student Team Project Center represents the best in a team learning environment.