The Tickle College of Engineering Senior Design Showcase highlights the innovative work of our graduating seniors as they tackle real-world engineering challenges, balancing performance goals with time and budget constraints.

The showcase provides students the opportunity to present their projects to audiences with diverse technical backgrounds. Students are encouraged to invite friends and family, as well as connect with project sponsors, potential employers, peers, and underclassmen during the event.

The content on this page is intended to provide guidance in what to prepare and what is expected of you, as well as where to be, and when to be there.

The Senior Design Showcase will be held on Friday, May 1 from 1–4 p.m in Zeanah Engineering Complex, John D. Tickle Building, and the outdoor plazas connected to both.

Event Dress Code

Students are expected to wear appropriate business casual attire. Sponsor/department-provided logo polo or button-down shirt/blouse is acceptable as well.

Preparation Timeline

This is a guide. You can always work ahead of the suggested timeline.

• One Month Out
  • Start designing your poster/display. Posters should be 33” x 44” in landscape orientation and should be more infographic than straight text. You may use your course-specific template or access TCE-branded templates available here.
  • Start designing how you will convey the story of your project. Poster examples are available.
  • Make sure your advisor/faculty members know what equipment and supporting items you will need from your department.
  • Complete the Kao ICS Senior Design Equipment Request Form that will be emailed to you. Only one form needs to be submitted per project.
• T-Minus Two Weeks
  • Review and finalize poster/display draft with your teammates, client and advisor
  • Prepare your business casual attire
  • Script your presentation and demonstration delivery
  • Get your plan together for gathering the needed support equipment as well as for picking up, dropping off, setting up, knocking down, and returning borrowed support equipment
  • Confirm the ordering process and timeline for your project poster with your instructor, if needed
• T-Minus One Week
  • Make sure your poster has been ordered for print through your department: 1) print the poster 33” x 44” in landscape orientation, 2) do not order your poster mounted on foamboard
  • Practice your poster and demonstration delivery (all team members!)
  • Check the Career Fair Plus app to make sure your teams’ project is accurately reflected. If your project needs updating, please contact Amanda Middleton at amanda@utk.edu.
• T-Minus Three Days
  • Make sure you have your poster/display ready
  • Rehearse the demonstration and poster/display presentation
  • Final check on your business casual attire
  • Verify any equipment you requested for setup from your department will be ready for pick up. Any equipment you requested through the Kao ICS Senior Design Equipment Request Form will be provided on the day of showcase.
  • Pick up your name badge from your department’s front office (For IED teams, pick up your name badges with Coordinator Heather Stellmach in the Kao ICS.)
• T-Minus One Day
  • Make sure all team members have their name badges and lanyards picked up from your department’s main office (For IED teams, pick up your name badges with Stellmach)

Day-of Timeline

• Zeanah Engineering Complex (ZEC) and John D. Tickle Building (TIC) setup: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Check in at the ZEC Ground Floor atrium in the Kao ICS to pick up your foamboard, clips, easels, and monitors (if requested)
  • Locate your table—poster stations are grouped by department and major; location can be found on Career Fair Plus app
  • Set up your poster/display area and arrange your materials at your station
• Lunch: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • A buffet lunch will be provided in the Student Union Pilot Ballroom on the 2nd floor.
• Main Event: 1–4 p.m.
  • Engage visitors in your project
  • Use your poster/display to walk through the story of the project and your results
  • Demonstrate your prototype system, software, or simulation
  • If possible, allow visitors to try it out themselves
  • Ensure that your poster/display always has at least 1–2 team members present and rotate so that you can visit other posters
• Knock down: 4–5 p.m.
  • Remove all materials from your tabletop
  • Return any foamboard, clips, easels, and monitors to the Kao ICS on the Ground Floor of ZEC
  • Your team is responsible for returning any technology or support materials borrowed from your department (computer monitors, cables, power supplies, etc.)
  • Return your posters to your departmental senior design space
  • Throw away any trash
  • Students may keep their lanyards and name badges.

Note: Some departments may have an after-showcase event planned. Check with your department beforehand to see if this is the case.