Each year, the NASA Glenn Research Center invites teams of undergraduate students to get involved in its R&T efforts by participating in the implementation of its sponsored University Student Design Challenge. The USDC comprises aeronautics-themed projects and space-themed projects, all of which encourage teams of participating students to use out-of-box approaches to solve specific problems to benefit NASA mission needs. Teams of three to six individuals work with a faculty advisor and NASA technical experts to research and develop solutions to one of the aeronautics or space related challenge proposed by NASA. Full-time junior- or senior-year undergraduate students who are enrolled in accredited U.S. academic institutions and majoring in multidisciplinary majors in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) disciplines are eligible to participate. Also eligible are students majoring in economics, marketing, graphic arts, or other disciplines that would aid in successful execution of the Challenge projects.
Grove City College students have participated in the Challenge the past two academic years under the guidance of Dr. George "Geo" Richards, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Luke Rumbaugh, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.