Innovative projects showcased at the UPEI Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering annual Student Design Expo

The UPEI Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) showcased a wide range of innovative design projects by its students at the annual Student Design Expo on Friday, April 24, 2026. 

During the expo, the students highlighted their design skills and networked with design clinic partners, and they were recognized for their hard work as aspiring engineers. Thirty-eight teams participated in the expo, five for Year 1, twelve for Year 2, eight for Year 3, and thirteen for Year 4.

“We had a fantastic turnout for our design expo this year, and many animated conversations lighting up the ways that engineering design is improving the lives of Islanders,” said Dr. Suzanne Kresta, Dean of the UPEI FSDE. “The third- and fourth-year students showcased some impressive technical solutions for local engineering challenges—enough to keep our partners probing the extent of what can be done for the full afternoon. Thanks are due to everyone in the FSDE for delivering this wonderful celebration.”

The FSDE’s 2026 Student Design Expo organizing committee welcomed approximately 700 junior high and high school students from across the province to the expo. The students viewed the projects and learned about the engineering design process.

Also attending the event were Hon. Rob Lantz, Premier of PEI; Philip Brown, Mayor of Charlottetown; Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor; and Dr. Donna Hardy Cox, Interim Vice-President, Academic and Research. 

The awards and their sponsors were announced following the event, including the Parks Canada Awards, Engineers PEI Awards, OCII Innovation Award, Cleantech Award, FSDE Awards, CSME Gold Medal Awards, and FSDE Graduate Student Awards. A complete list of awards and winners can be found at 2026 Student Design Expo.

The Student Design Expo committee included Dr. Libby Osgood, Interim Associate Dean Academic; Wayne Simmons, Business Development Engineer; Tin Nguyen, Student Success Centre Coordinator; Dylan Jubinville, Assistant Professor; and Lisa Sanderson, Industry Partnerships.

For more information about the annual event, visit UPEI FSDE Student Design Expo.