Eric Jorgensen (far right) with his team, sponsor, and Chulalongkorn advisor
Eric Jorgensen of Upton, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), recently completed an intense, hands-on research project in Bangkok. The project was titled Promoting the Hydroponics Farm in Prachinburi, Thailand.
At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue. About two-thirds of students complete a project at one of the university’s more than 40 off-campus project centers, which are located around the world.
This was an amazing experience for Jorgensen. “The coolest part about working at the Bangkok Project Center for my junior project (IQP) was working with local Thai students at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. I had never had the opportunity to work in such a culturally diverse team and it was an awesome learning experience. I was also able to make great friends that I believe will be life long friends on the other side of the world,” Jorgensen said.
Jorgesen, a 2012 graduate of Nipmuc, said he was well prepared for his experiences at WPI, “I would say Nipmuc prepared me pretty well for my college experience thus far; my role in athletics at Nipmuc prepared me for the teamwork/project aspect of WPI’s curriculum.”
“The WPI project-based curriculum’s focus on global studies brings students out of the classroom and their comfort zones and into the global community to apply their knowledge to solve real problems,” said Professor Richard Vaz, dean of the WPI Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division. “Students are immersed in all aspects of a different culture, from the way people live and work to the values they hold to the foods they eat — all valuable perspectives for surviving and thriving in today’s global marketplace. They also learn the meaning and magic of teamwork; make a real and meaningful difference in their host community; and gain a competitive edge for any resume, or graduate or professional school application.”
UPTON DAILY 