Bite-Sized Update: 2024-25 Capstone Team Shark Project

Welcome back to the shark tank! Since the introduction to the Proportion-Air sponsored capstone project at Purdue Polytechnic Institute (catch up here), the team has not only made significant strides in bringing their animatronic bull shark to life, but they’ve also expanded their ranks with two talented new additions. These fresh perspectives and skills have injected new momentum into the project, complementing the team’s existing expertise.

Meet the Newcomers

Jason Long, from Jakarta, Indonesia and Rowland Heights, California, is pursuing a B.S. in Robotics Engineering Technology. Jason brings a diverse skillset to the project. His experience spans industrial controls and robotics, programming, and CAD. He also brings hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing techniques like working with carbon fiber, foam, and additive manufacturing. For the project, Jason will be serving as the Electrical Design Leader, as well as handling Testing and Validation, and acting as team Secretary.

Trenton Praski, from Schererville, Indiana, joins the team as their Assistant Project Manager and Project Schedule Manager. Trenton is working towards a B.S. in Supply Chain & Sales Engineering Technology. His background in project management, supply chain, and Lean Six Sigma is proving invaluable in keeping the project organized and on schedule. Trenton is already making a strong contribution to the team’s efficiency and resource management.

The capstone team’s efforts are beginning to bear fruit, with materials for the shark’s assembly finally arriving. Shae has been busy fabricating key components, bringing the design closer to reality. Simultaneously, the team has been diligently planning the command and monitor signals that will bring the shark to life, ensuring precise control and feedback. Their CAD work continues to drive the project forward, with designs for the next stages of the shark’s construction taking shape.

They’ll exhibit the final product at the Purdue Polytechnic Institute Tech Expo.

Follow our social channels and this blog for updates on their progress.