Into the Cove: exploring possibilities while building community

The Cove, an extension of the CREATE Institute located on the ground floor of Viets Tower, is more than just another lab on campus for students, it’s a space designed to support and encourage interdisciplinary exploration between all members of the MSOE community.

Take mechanical engineering sophomore Joseph Smith for example. Smith entered the Cove with a desire to learn more about 3D printing. After some equipment instructions, he was off 3D printing his own projects—from car logos to business card holders and phone cases—and he was hooked. He had a thirst to learn more and dive into industrial 3D printing. Kristen McNeill, program coordinator for the Cove at the CREATE Institute, knew just the place on campus to connect Smith: the Rapid Prototyping Center (RPC).

Thanks to McNeill’s introduction, Smith landed a two-year internship with the RPC as an undergraduate research assistant. In his role he helps the engineering team model, prototype and 3D print projects for different companies. “My favorite part is learning how to use the larger industrial 3D printers and learning about the new, evolving technology,” said Smith.

Moments like this reinforce McNeill’s mission for the Cove. “I not only want to help students explore their interests in the Nelson Prototype Lab at the Cove, but I also want the Cove to be a place where all students feel welcomed, supported, and can be connected to other places on campus where they can continue to grow their passions and interests in other ways,” said McNeill.

The Cove also hosts workshops, networking activities and guest speakers to help students grow as leaders of character, responsible professionals and value creators. Kobie Boykins, principal engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), made a special visit to the Cove in advance of his featured talk at the Marcus Center for Performing Arts, “National Geographic LIVE: Kobie Boykins—Exploring Mars.”

At his presentation in the Ladish Co. Entrepreneurial Space within the Cove, Boykins shared his personal experiences working with NASA and the unforgettable feeling of working on projects that made it to the surface of other planets. In more than 25 years at JPL, Boykins worked on the Pathfinder mission, built the solar arrays for the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, led the mobility and remote sensing teams for the Mars Science Laboratory Rover, and is serving as chief engineer on the Europa Clipper team.

Students were able to ask Boykins their questions during a Q&A session that was moderated by Eric Baumgartner, MSOE executive vice president of academics and former NASA engineer and colleague of Boykins. Being able to connect with industry experts in an intimate and informal setting was a unique and motivating moment for students.

“I felt pretty inspired,” said software engineering senior Paul Rinaldi. “Being an engineer is really meaningful. You’re working on problems that are really difficult or you don’t know the answers to, so you have to figure it out and problem solve, and that’s just a lot of fun.”

McNeill emphasized the importance the Cove plays in building community. “We hope to create a community that empowers all students to explore the changing world around them,” said McNeill. “Through Cove programming, we hope students recognize that by collaborating with others and persisting through challenges, they can create extraordinary social, societal, economic and personal value.”