HSPRD Attorney Robert McMurray served as a Reviewer at Northwestern University’s Design Thinking and Communication Expo last month. During the event, approximately 88 student teams showcased their final engineering designs in response to real-world problems submitted by a diverse group of volunteers. The Expo marked the culmination of a ten-week project, where engineering students developed innovative solutions tailored to their clients’ unique challenges.
Mr. McMurray reviewed presentations from eight different student teams, each offering creative, effective approaches to problem-solving. The Review panel included faculty and industry professionals who engaged with students about their design process and communication strategies.
Design Thinking and Communication (DTC) is a required two-quarter course for all first-year students at Northwestern Engineering. Faculty from both the McCormick School of Engineering and the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences’ Cook Family Writing Program co-teach the course. DTC immerses students in hands-on, real-world design challenges submitted by individuals, non-profits, entrepreneurs, and industry members, encouraging them to create meaningful solutions and communicate with real audiences.
