University of Idaho College of Engineering

"To me, engineering is solving problems systematically. It starts with identifying a problem, designing solutions and ensuring they are safe, practical and focused on the people who use them." - Cooper Hancock, Mechanical Engineering Class of 2026

Cooper has joined Boeing as a Liaison Engineer at the company's Renton facility.

At U of I, Cooper gained hands-on experience founding the Vandal Motorsports competition team. From concept to competition, Cooper helped design, build and test the team's first SAE Baja vehicle, gaining experience in CAD, machining, welding, fabrication and manufacturing. The team successfully passed technical inspection and competed in every event at its first competition.

"I worked on designing, cutting, fixturing, 3D printing, welding and machining components, gaining experience in nearly every area I had hoped to explore when I first toured the college," he said. "I got to see a project I helped create come to life and perform in a real competition environment."

Cooper said the scholarships he received while at U of I made it possible to focus on academics while participating in student organizations to build valuable engineering experience.

"I am extremely grateful for the support these scholarships provided, as they enabled me to excel academically, participate in extracurricular activities, and gain the experience that helped me earn valuable internships and a full-time job opportunity after graduation," he said.

Congrats, Cooper!

Learn more about our student clubs and how you can get involved at uidaho.edu/engineering/student-success/clubs.

Vandal engineers spend their summers in paid, industry-connected internships and research programs!

Mechanical engineering senior Sydney Arellano spent her summer as an intern in Avista Utilities' Energy Efficiency Department in Spokane, where students participate in meaningful projects, real-world experience, focused mentorship and prepare for the next steps in their career.

“I learned about Avista and the utility industry as a whole, how efficiency keeps energy affordable and how the engineers work with customers to evaluate their facilities and recommend energy-saving updates,” she said.

Sydney also toured the site, networked with employees and fellow interns and was able to see how lessons learned in the classroom transfer to real-world projects.

Connect with us to learn more about internship opportunities at uidaho.edu/engineering/student-success.

Thank you Freeform, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Griffith Observatory for an incredible first day of immersive experiences into aerospace industry!

The trip is part of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program, helping Idaho high school students explore STEM through NASA-developed coursework and hands-on learning centered on designing a simulated human mission to Mars.

U of I College of Engineering is leading this year's program in partnership with the Idaho Department of Education and universities and industries statewide, inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders through first-hand experiences in aerospace.

Know a future aerospace engineer? Sign them up for the Idaho Department of Education's mailing list at sde.idaho.gov/about-us/departments/content-and-curriculum/idaho-science-and-aerospace-scholars/.

We're excited to welcome this year's Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars to the University of Idaho!

This outstanding program helps Idaho high school students explore STEM through NASA-developed coursework and hands-on learning entered on designing a simulated human mission to Mars. This week, a second cohort of students will hear from aerospace and industry experts on our Moscow campus before traveling to Los Angeles to visit the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Impulse Space, Vast, Relativity and the Griffith Observatory !

Know a future scholar who'd fit into this incredible program? Sign them up for the Idaho Department of Education's mailing list at sde.idaho.gov/about-us/departments/content-and-curriculum/idaho-science-and-aerospace-scholars/.

Congrats to Jonas Oatman, Computer Science Class of 2026!

With the help of the Tribal Nations Student Affairs and Indigenous Nations Training for Excellence Program, Oatman was able to find academic support and belonging that opened doors to undergraduate research participation - using AI to identify strains of killer yeast. He will follow his growing interest in robotics and automation to pursue graduate study!

Support programs guide Native student in tech path | University of Idaho Explore how community and mentorship at University of Idaho guided a Native student to success in computer science. Learn more.

By 2030, about 74% of the semiconductor industry’s unfilled roles will be in manufacturing and 60% in engineering, according to a recent McKinsey & Co. report.

Vandal engineers are helping their peers gain these needed industry skills by developing a VR cleanroom training experience. The program gives future semiconductor professionals a safe, engaging way to build confidence before stepping into fabrication facilities on the U of I campus and careers beyond.

The VR project is one aspect of U of I's nationally recognized hands-on semiconductor training programs. Read more to learn about our specialized certificate programs and global semiconductor training opportunities through the Microchip Engineering & Security Alliance (MESA).

Students make virtual reality simulation for semiconductor education | University of Idaho University of Idaho senior computer science students create a virtual reality simulation of a cleanroom for semiconductor education.

Vandal engineers are helping NASA unlock new insights into Earth's lower atmosphere!

Students are training for a summer expedition to Iceland, where they will launch atmospheric balloons and conduct experiments during the total solar eclipse as part of the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project.

Mechanical engineering students Travis Christopher, Erin Griffith, Jarod Honberger, Jack Marshall and Kieran Schwegel, and Brigham Young University-Idaho physics student Katrina Billeter are using data captured during balloon launches to gather insight into the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL), the layer of air closest to the Earth’s surface.

The PBL’s proximity to the Earth means its impacted by the ground and human activity, and responds rapidly to surface heating and cooling.

The team will travel to Iceland in August, when the sun sets for a very short period of time. Their location along the path of totality of the eclipse will create a version of night during totality, allowing the team to capture data on the rapid onset of “night.” Data will be used to better understand how the PBL controls heat, moisture, momentum and pollutants in our atmosphere, which can be used to improve weather forecasting, and predicting and managing climate patterns and air quality.

The team is launching atmospheric balloons every week! DM us for information on the next launch.

Read about the team’s 2023 trip at https://www.uidaho.edu/newsroom/solar-eclipse-balloons-2023.

Happy Fourth of July, Vandals!

🇺🇸 Who saw Baxter and the Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics at the parade in CDA?

"To me, engineering means dedication, creativity and passion. It is a discipline I am proud to represent and practice." — Madison Aughenbaugh, Mechanical Engineering Class of 2026

Madison has joined Honda Motor Company as a Product Validation Engineer since graduation.

At U of I, Madison gained hands-on experience through the Clean Snowmobile Challenge team, Vandal Motorsports and an internship with SEL. She led a sound analysis project for the snowmobile team and designed the Baja car's rear suspension system, taking it from initial sketches to a computer model and ultimately the finished vehicle. During her internship at SEL, she developed a small machine that was selected for a patent application this year.

Madison said scholarships played a critical role in making her education possible. While working two jobs as a full-time student, scholarships helped her afford college and stay focused on earning her degree.

Congrats Madison!


uidaho.edu/engineering

When Cody Conger graduated this spring, he left the Moscow campus with a mechanical engineering degree and a job at The Boeing Company.

But his path to that destination wasn’t always smooth. Early in his time at University of Idaho, Conger struggled to find his footing before discovering a home in the Vandal aerospace community.

Guided by the Military and Veteran Services Office and supported by engineering faculty, Cody helped launch the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics club on campus, which sends students to compete in the associated AIAA competitions.

From Marine to Boeing: Finding Community in Aerospace | University of Idaho Former Marine Cody Conger found community through University of Idaho’s aerospace club, gaining hands-on experience that helped launch his Boeing career.