Four years, eight semesters, one senior capstone project, endless support
At Stevens Institute of Technology, Senior Design is more than a capstone project — it's a graduation requirement for every senior, in every major, across the university. It's the culmination of four years of hands-on learning, close faculty mentorship, interdisciplinary teamwork and collaborative problem-solving — an experience intentionally mapped through the university's curricular design spine that begins in the very first semester.
That journey culminates for all seniors at the Innovation Expo, Stevens' annual celebration of student innovation, research, design and entrepreneurship. Featuring more than 250 Senior Design capstone projects spanning every discipline offered at Stevens, the event gives seniors the opportunity to present how coursework becomes a real, working solution.
“Our students spend four years learning to solve real problems, think creatively across disciplines and translate their ideas into work the world can use,” Stevens President Nariman Farvardin has said.
The event serves as a real-world stress test, challenging students to apply years of technical knowledge, creativity and collaboration under authentic project conditions.
Mentorship that goes the distance
From the first semester through Innovation Expo, faculty mentors challenge students to think bigger, ask thought-provoking questions and refine their ideas through every stage of development. Their guidance extends beyond technical expertise, helping students learn how to collaborate, communicate and solve problems with confidence.
Angel Segura ’26, a business & technology student whose project is a techno-economic evaluation of an ultra large nuclear-powered container vessel, shared the benefits of having an advisor who was able to provide guidance on multiple disciplines.
“Our advisor was very helpful throughout the entire process,” said Segura. “He has experience not just in the engineering aspect, but also the economic aspect. He’s been very instrumental in helping us not just understand what we’re trying to do but also helping us learn along the process.”
Many teams also partner with industry sponsors who provide technical insight, professional feedback and real-world project perspectives. Together, faculty mentors and industry collaborators create an environment where students receive continuous coaching while working through authentic engineering, business and research challenges.
"We hit many roadblocks, but our advisor was very good at giving us direction," said Aaron Wong '26, a chemical engineering major whose senior capstone team worked to create sustainable aviation fuel from palm oil.
Along the way, students have access to Stevens' advanced laboratories, maker spaces and research facilities, giving them the tools and resources to transform ambitious ideas into working solutions.
The experience offered at Stevens equates to what many professionals may experience in their early careers.
Design Across All Disciplines
Some students pursue research, seeking answers to questions not yet solved. Some choose to consult, working directly with organizations and local businesses to solve real problems with real deadlines. Some choose to build, designing systems that must function in real-world conditions. And a growing number choose an entrepreneurial path, developing ventures they intend to carry beyond graduation.
"The curriculum at Stevens is really in-depth and hands on," said Vivian Lisboa '26, a naval architecture and marine engineering major. "The Senior Design process has allowed me to mimic what working in the real world will be like."
“You take on so many different classes in different areas that really prepared us for this project,” said business & technology major Jessica Aurora Piloto ’26, whose team assisted a local retailer with website optimization and market research.
From designing nesting platforms that support migratory terns and helping local businesses expand to concept album creation and intricate animation design, Senior Design projects reflect the remarkable breadth of interdisciplinary education that defines a Stevens education.
The close of the circle: Innovation Expo
All of it — the mentorship, the roadblocks, the varied disciplines — leads back to the same place: the Innovation Expo floor.
“It’s a chance to celebrate the achievements of our senior design projects,” said Frank Fisher, professor and associate dean for undergraduate studies in the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science. “The lead up to the day, the pageantry of the day — will push teams to optimize and reach the full potential of projects.”
Each spring, the full arc of a Stevens education is on display. Four years of coursework, months of breakthroughs, and the moment it all comes together in front of peers, faculty and industry sponsors. For seniors, Innovation Expo isn't the finish line of their education — it's the moment they discover they're ready to make an impact on the world.
