A E T H E S I S
Lauren Paese
Dr. John Messner
Bay Area Children's Hospital
Bay Area, CA
Reflection
ABET Assessment
The Capstone Project Electronic Portfolio (CPEP) site was an effective tool to display students' work and progress throughout the school year. This site not only provided a platform to present senior thesis projects but also as sustainable effort that creates a record of projects over several years.
Personal Reflection
After five years of trying to absorb as much information as possible in our engineering and design courses, this capstone thesis project provided fifth years with a chance to prove our knowledge. The five years provided us with time to learn the basic mathematic skills necessary to obtain a strong foundation, and design courses to think outside the box. Having the opportunity to study abroad with the department in Rome, Italy, provided me with a greater opportunity to apply my knowledge from a global perspective. The class associated with obtaining my Master in Architectural Engineering, allowed be to analyze all the information I've learned so far. In the graduate level, the classes ask students to apply their knowledge in real life scenarios and actually utilizes that information within the industry. Senior thesis was the final conclusion to my Penn State career. I feel confident moving forward that the AE department has done all they can to prepare me to begin a full time position in the construction industry.
I would finally like to thank everyone who has helped me over the past five years obtain a Bachelor and Master in AE and a minor in architectural studies, especially my advisor Dr. John Messner. Thank you to everyone on the Bay Area Children's Hospital project that went out of their way to help me, especially DPR Construction. Ultimately, I would like to thank my Mom and Dad, Matt McDonald and the women of 430 for helping me do anything I wanted while at Penn State. Definitely the best 5 years of my life.