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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor's Degrees
  4. Mechanical Engineering

Senior Capstone Projects

Spring 2025 Showcase

Acoustic Firepit

A video showing the progress Penn State Altoona engineering students made in the creation of a sound-sensitive, acoustic outdoor firepit.

Compressed Air Engine

A video showing the progress Penn State Altoona engineering students made in the creation of a compressed air engine.

Jet Ski Lift

A video showing the progress Penn State Altoona engineering students made in the creation of a jet ski lift.

Rolling Ball Maze

A video showing the progress Penn State Altoona engineering students made in the creation of a rolling ball maze.

Acoustic Fire Pit

Penn State Altoona mechanical engineering students Nicholas Ashcroft, Asher Burkett, and David Close offer a presentation about an outdoor fireplace that is fueled by propane with an integrated audio system that interacts with the flames. Entertainment in multiple forms that can be used simultaneously or separately.

Compressed Air Engine

Penn State Altoona mechanical engineering students Alexander Cesani, Logan Sava, and Aidan Smeltzer offer a presentation about a mechanical system capable of converting pressurized air to rotational energy via a piston-cylinder engine.

Jet Ski Ramp

Penn State Altoona mechanical engineering students Cole Keiper and Levi Keiper offer a presentation about a powered jet ski ramp for the bed of a truck that can load and unload a jet ski in less than fifteen minutes.

Rolling Ball Maze

Penn State Altoona mechanical engineering students Ketan Arbuckle and Riley Dibert offer a presentation about their design of the mechanical and electrical systems required to create a rolling ball maze that can change its layout based on user input, and fabrication of a working prototype for large-scale entertainment.

Plastic Extruder

Penn State Altoona mechanical engineering students Jack Karcher and Jacob Wetherill offer a presentation about their design and fabrication of a plastic extruder capable of converting PLA chips into at least three different-sized extruded strands.

Mechanical Engineering

  • Suggested Academic Plan for Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering Entrance to Major Requirements
  • Technical Electives
  • Mechanical Engineering Scholarships and Awards
  • Mechanical Engineering Objectives and Outcomes
  • Senior Capstone Projects
  • Mechanical Engineering Faculty
  • Mechanical Engineering ABET Accreditation

Contact Us

Grant A. Risha
Mechanical Engineering Program Chair
101A Cypress Building
[email protected]

Suggested Academic Plan

Suggested Academic Plans (SAPs) are sample semester-by-semester guides you can use to meet degree requirements.

Mechanical Engineering SAP for Prospective Students

View the SAP for the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

Mechanical Engineering SAP for Current Students

To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

Career Outcomes

The future is bright for Penn State Altoona graduates!

Visit the Career Outcomes page, select one of our four-year degree programs, and explore information about our alumni, including salary data, potential career paths, and alumni highlights.

Explore Career Outcomes
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Connect with Student Resources

Student Success Center

Located in room 125 on the lower level of the Eiche Library, the Student Success Center supports two main functions:

  • To GET HELP for those students who need academic and non-academic assistance, and
  • To GET AHEAD for those students ready to take the next steps in their education.
Learn more about the Student Success Center

Out-of-Class Learning

Out-of-classroom academic experiences that complement in-class learning, including:

  • Study Away Programs
  • Academic Internships
  • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
Learn more about Out-of-class Learning
Give to Penn State Altoona Mechanical Engineering Program
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See Also

  • Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Rail Transportation Engineering
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Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors and Minors
    • Academic Calendars
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Delays, Closings, and Early Dismissals
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Student Success Center
    • The Help Tool
    • Tutoring
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Belonging Center
    • Safety at Penn State Altoona
    • Career Services
    • Eiche Library
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
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    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
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