TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology hosted ‘The Rose Show’ to showcase students’ innovative projects.
Aidan Moulder, a student at Rose-Hulman said, “It’ll be nice to see something we’ve put a lot of work into you know, used, to make somebody’s life better.”
These projects address the needs of companies, organizations, and individuals from across the Wabash Valley and throughout the world.
Seth Frey was inspired by the family he would be working with.
“When we first talked to the client, our very first meeting I would say, we were talking to them and his dad started tearing up a little bit and telling us how grateful he was that we were doing something like this,” Frey said. “Just something to help out his son. It just meant a lot to him,” he added.
Seth, Claire, and Hayden heard Jack’s story and knew it was the project for them.
“Seeing that we can help out Jack and his family and give him something, you know, put our heart into this project,” Hayden Walter said.
A project that would directly affect the lives of another person.
“The project would be creating a skateboard for Jack,” Frey said. He loves to do that kind of thing, skateboard, surf, that kind of thing. He actually has spina bifida, so he’s paralyzed from the waist down and he’s started to get to that age where and he is starting to notice he can’t do things other kids are doing,” he added.
The trio is in the early phases of their project but is looking forward to giving Jack the opportunity to skateboard with friends.
“And hopefully, he’ll be able to test out and use both designs throughout the summer and give us constructive feedback for when we come back next fall,” Frey added.
The Rose Show visitors were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the projects. Representatives from industry and Rose-Hulman alumni judged the projects for best of show awards.
Claire Smithers appreciated the feedback and the opportunity to showcase their idea.
“I think this is a really good spot for us to be able to receive good feedback and constructive feedback so that we can apply it to our products currently,” Smithers said.
On display were nearly 100 projects featuring assistive and technology projects that were completed this school year by first-year students all the way to seniors.
