Ocean Engineering Students Earn Top Award for Design Project

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Each year almost 200 Florida Tech seniors, many about to graduate, contend for the top prize — the President’s Cup — at the Student Design
Showcase. This year the university’s President Anthony J. Catanese chose the Autonomous Mobile Buoy (AMB) as the top project from among 53. All were
developed by engineering, science and other students.
Selected for best achieving the ideals of the long-term exercise, the AMB is a new type of surface vehicle/buoy for marine biological studies, physical
oceanography, environmental impact assessment and marine environment management. Team members were ocean engineering students Zak Pfeiffer, Michelle Rees,
Derek Tepley and Saffia Tappan. They developed the autonomous self-mooring vehicle that collects meteorological, acoustic and physical data from estuarine
waters.
To complete the Student Design Project, Florida Tech engineering seniors conceive, design and implement their projects, write a description, document
requirements and gain hands-on experience. Science students conceive and execute research in their respective fields.
Students are challenged by a real-world work environment in a variety of engineering and science areas. The students apply theory, think creatively and
develop practical skills, such as teamwork and leadership.
PHOTO: Posing by the autonomous mobile buoy, from left: Stephen L. Wood, Florida Tech assistant professor of ocean engineering and faculty
adviser; Michelle Rees; Zak Pfeiffer; and President Anthony J. Catanese.