Michigan State University’s College of Engineering invites the public to Spring 2026 Design Day on Friday, April 24, in the Engineering Building. One of the college’s premier undergraduate academic events, Design Day will run from 8 a.m. to noon and highlight the creativity and ingenuity of Spartan engineers. Visitors will find projects throughout the hallways on all three floors of the building, along with project presentations, demonstrations, and competitions. The Engineering Building is located at 428 S. Shaw Lane in East Lansing. The event is free and open to the public.
Held each fall and spring since 1994, Design Day marks its 32nd year in 2026. This spring, 1,188 students on 240 teams from 13 courses will participate, representing 10 of the college’s 12 undergraduate degree programs. Projects will span applied engineering sciences, biosystems engineering, civil and environmental engineering, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering.
“On Design Day, our MSU engineering students demonstrate their solutions to complex real-world problems for a variety of project sponsors,” said Wayne Dyksen, executive director of Design Day and professor of computer science and engineering. “The event highlights the creativity, technical skill and collaboration that prepare Spartan engineers to make an immediate impact in their professions and communities.”
Capstone projects will again serve as a centerpiece of the event. A total of 734 students on 147 capstone teams will present their work this spring, including 117 sponsored projects. Of those, 77 are backed by Michigan-based companies and institutions.
As in past semesters, this semester’s Design Day will bring together faculty, industry partners, families and visitors to see how students are applying what they have learned to real-world engineering challenges before graduation. The event will feature both capstone and non-capstone work, giving attendees a broad look at the problem-solving, design and collaboration happening across the college.
View the 2026 Design Day projects and teams in the Spring 2026 Design Day booklet.
The following are a few examples of this semester’s Design Day projects:
Team Henry Ford Health
Colon Cancer Screening Project (Applied Engineering Sciences)
Applied engineering sciences students partnered with Henry Ford Health to analyze patient data and identify patterns tied to low colon cancer screening adherence. Their work is aimed at helping the health system target interventions, increasing screening rates, and reducing disparities in preventive care.
Team NetJets
Aviation Maintenance & Ground Ops Simulation (Computer Science and Engineering)
To help improve training and reduce risk, students created a virtual reality simulation for aviation maintenance and ground operations. The system lets users practice procedures such as aircraft marshalling and tire changes in a high-fidelity digital environment before performing them in the field.
Team Michigan AgrAbility
Wheelchair Mounted Grain Feeder (Mechanical Engineering)
Mechanical engineering students designed and built a grain-dispensing system that enables a young man to independently feed calves using his power wheelchair. The project created a safe, detachable, and user-friendly solution that supports accessibility while helping him stay actively involved in daily farm operations.
Sixteen awards will be presented in Applied Engineering Sciences, civil engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering. Honors will be conferred by corporate and faculty judges during the afternoon awards ceremony.
Spring 2026 Design Day by the Numbers
Engineering Student Participation
- 1,188 students
- 240 teams
- 13 courses
- 10 of the college’s 12-degree programs represented
Capstone Projects
- 734 students
- 147 teams
- 117 sponsored projects
- 77 (67%) Michigan-based companies and institutions
Awards
- 16 awards
- Conferred by corporate and faculty judges
For more information, contact Wayne Dyksen at dyksen@msu.edu or 517-353-5573, or Courtney Kosloski at marti884@msu.edu or 517-353-8133.
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page