Mechatronics Lab: 2025 Highlights
2025 has been a remarkable year, especially because the Mechatronics Lab launched in the second half of the year. Even in this short time, we built meaningful momentum in teaching, student projects, community engagement, publications, and external support.
Highlights of 2025
- Teaching Presentation: “How Can GenAI Foster Interdisciplinary Research on Open-Ended Problems Among Undergraduates?” was presented at the 24th Annual Faculty Conference on Teaching Excellence at Temple University | January 2025
- Senior Design: Jonah Tesler successfully presented senior design project | May 2025
- Student Grant: Henry Krumrine received the Creative Arts, Research, and Scholarship (CARAS) Grant from Temple University | May 2025
- Student Scholarship: Samira Akther received the 2025 STLE Philadelphia Section Scholarship | July 2025
- Teaching Publication: A paper titled “GIFTS: AI2QTI: Automated Quiz Generation Using Generative AI and QTI for Teaching Content Management Systems” was presented at the FYEE 2025 Conference (University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland) | July 2025
- Teaching Publication: A paper titled “GIFTS: Bridging Engineering Education with a Cost-Effective Classroom Kit: A Hands-On Approach to Active Learning” was presented at the FYEE 2025 Conference (University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland) | July 2025
- Teaching Grant: Dr. Sayginer has been awarded the Innovative Teaching with Makerspace Technology Grant from Temple Libraries’ Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio | August 2025
- New Course: A new course, MEE4177: Design & Realization of a Mechanical System, offered in Fall 2025 | August 2025
- Community Engagement: A new program, cOllab: Community Impact, has been started and is actively working with local communities | October 2025
- Senior Design: OWL Strike Team presented senior design project | December 2025
- Project Funding: ASME Philadelphia Section awarded funding for Drone Based Air Quality Project | December 2025
- Project Funding: ASME Philadelphia Section awarded funding to Temple University Mechatronics Design Team | December 2025
Even though these appear as successful events, there were also unexpected challenges such as rejections, failures, and setbacks. It is valuable that, even in the first year, I already have stories to tell and lessons to carry forward.
My 2026 resolutions will focus more on research publications and new grant writing and approvals. Good things take some time.
I wish everyone a wonderful 2026!
Osman Sayginer
