Santa Clara University

PROJECTS

PracVac Project (Programmable Remote Controlled Vacuum Cleaner) Team Left to Right: Helena Quixada, Saribel Daza, Gretchen Hellman >>more

Several projects have been developed as part of the Virtual Development Center at SCU. Some projects are directly related to issues raised at the workshops, and others are directed at supporting the research and/or retention of women in engineering. Professors and Student Teams begin the project(s) fall quarter of each year, continue through Winter, and complete in the Spring quarter.

Current and Past Projects

For more information on Projects and the Students involved please select one of the following.

• Current Project

• Past Projects

Each year the courses are decided based on the workshops and conferences.

Course Description

COEN 129C
Innovation workshops are held early Fall Quarter of each year. Women from industry and the community will join students and faculty at the workshops designed to bring technical and non-technical women of all ages and backgrounds together with the following purposes in mind:

• To generate new and unique ideas for technological changes and developments which would be of benefit to women in their daily lives.
• To provide a forum for women in local communities to make their views on technological developments known to major research and development organizations.
• To offer an opportunity for women of all ages and backgrounds to increase their comfort and skills in working in a small group setting and in expressing their views on technology.

From the list of ideas generated in the workshop, some are chosen as projects for development throughout the academic year. Students will work in teams, and meet with the user community while developing their design and again during implementation and testing. Projects are presented at the annual VDC Conference in April (as well as the senior design conference at SCU).