Publication

This is the final Technical Report for Research Task 1007 (WRT-1007 – Capstone Marketplace) covering the period 01 May to 29 June 2020, and summary observations and Capstone project results for the full 2019-2020 Academic Year. Research funds for the Marketplace have been provided from OSD’s Director of System Engineering as well as U.S. Special Operations Command and OSD’s Rapid Response Technology Office. During 12 months of activity, SERC’s Capstone Marketplace has matched 18 research needs from military units to student engineering teams pursuing senior design projects. 11 universities received awards to support 24 student Capstone teams. In March 2020, nationwide quarantine restrictions affected all university students and faculty; this had major impacts on Capstone actvities, as students were unable to travel or use school laboratories, shops, libraries, and other facilites. In all cases, student teams devised virtual workarounds which achieved satisfactory project objectives for their tasks.

The goal of this project was to investigate means to expand the SERC Capstone Marketplace established in 2013, refined in 2014, and further developed in the 2016‐2018 academic years. Previous SERC research in RT‐19/19a, RT‐43, RT 105, RT‐131, RT 150, and RT 197 showed that multidisciplinary Capstone programs enhance development of systems engineering competencies as well as analytic and design skills among undergraduate student engineers.

Under authorities granted to SERC in January 2019, SERC now engages with any accredited university in the U.S. for Capstone work. North Carolina A&T University, University of South Alabama, U.S. Naval Academy, Oklahoma State, and the University of Texas-Austin, all non-SERC universities-- have recently participated in SERC Capstones.

SERC Capstone Marketplace presentations have been made to universities, military units, and government organizations, DOD’s Innovation Symposium, the SERC Advisory Board, and the 2019 SERC Research Symposium. Additional briefings have been provided to senior Army, Navy, and Special Operations staffs and support organizations.