About
OUR VISION
To be recognized for transformative STEM and design education that develops leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset and global perspective.
IDEAS is more than a clever acronym. IDEAS will distinguish you as a Lawrence Tech engineer!
Everyone knows that engineers solve the problems that our ever changing world faces. We know our engineering students want to be solution providers.
Through a generous grant from KEEN, our IDEAS has turned into a reality.
The College of Engineering recognizes that the problems engineers face are becoming more and more complex. High performing, interdisciplinary teams are needed to solve these challenges. At Lawrence Tech, IDEAS facilitates collaboration amongst students from various engineering disciplines.
For engineers to solve these problems, they must first recognize the opportunities in the world around them and find the right problem to solve. With IDEAS, students interact with and create extraordinary value for real world customers. IDEAS fosters a habit of thought that empowers students to be curious about the world around them and recognize opportunities to connect the technical skills learned in the classroom to the needs of their customer. Students become champions of value creation.
Academic Honor Code
The SEED facilitates the following innovative curricular and extracurricular activities:
The primary activity that takes place in the EEDS is the College of Engineering’s Entrepreneurial Engineering Design Studio course. [EGE2123]
In this unique sophomore level design studio, students engage in a hands on experience that builds on the foundation of the entrepreneurial mindset introduced in our first-year course, EGE1001 Fundamentals of Engineering Design Projects.
In one semester, our sophomore engineering students use curiosity to identify opportunities for a design within a given theme. They connect with real customers outside of the classroom. By the end of the semester, these students have built a working prototype that creates value for these customers. This experience is made more meaningful by partnering with non-profit agencies.
The partners that EEDS utilizes are Services to Enhance Potential (STEP) and ConnectUs. STEP works with and employs persons with disabilities. As employees, these persons undergo training and development activities which allows for personal and professional growth. Our other partner, ConnectUs, supplies quality programming for individuals with server multiple disabilities. Their programs provide stimulating, educational and social activities for members, interns and volunteers.
Our sophomore students in the EEDS are tasked with identifying an opportunity and implementing a design that will help these clients in their endeavors. Unique aspects of the course include direct interaction with real customers and determining how to create the most value based on the tasks that these clients perform. Additionally, students investigate the market, review prior solutions and intellectual property, and perform an economic analysis related to the development and potential marketing of their invention.
Contact Us
Susan Henson
Engineering Dean's Office
The Marburger STEM Center
Project Engineer, Studio for Entrepreneurial Engineering Design (SEED)
Henson is currently a co-instructor for EGE 2123 Entrepreneurial Engineering Design Studio and a faculty advisor for EMPwr, the student group on campus dedicated to entrepreneurship and innovation.
Prior to her role in SEED, Professor Henson served as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and in the A. Leon Linton Department of Mechanical Engineering since 2010.
Professor Henson earned a MS in GIS at Eastern Michigan University.
Phone: 248.204.2609
Email: shenson@thy111.net
Office: E151
Heidi Morano
Engineering Dean's Office
The Marburger STEM Center
Director, Entrepreneurial Engineering Design Curriculum
Heidi Morano currently serves as Director of the Entrepreneurial Engineering Design Curriculum. Through the generous support of the Kern Family Foundation, a continuous thread of entrepreneurially-minded learning is intentionally woven through the engineering curriculum – beginning with the freshmen EGE 1001 Fundamentals of Engineering Design Projects and further evolving with the sophomore level EGE 2123 Entrepreneurial Engineering Design Studio, the junior-level EGE 3022 Leadership & Professional Development for Engineers and culminating with the Senior Capstone Experience.
Prior to her role as Director, Professor Morano served as the Project Engineer in the Studio for Entrepreneurial Engineering Design and collaborated in the development and design of the EGE 2123 course. Professor Morano also served as an adjunct faculty member in the A. Leon Linton Department of Mechanical Engineering for 11 years.
She earned a MSME in Applied Mechanics at the University of Michigan.
Phone: 248.204.2588
Email: hmorano@thy111.net
Office: J231