Engineers' Forum

A Deep Dive into the IIHS Vehicle Research Center On a foggy October morning, a group of Virginia Tech engineering students, organized by the growing Virginia Tech SAE Chapter (commonly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers), traded the familiar sights of Blacksburg for the sprawling campus of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Vehicle Research Center in Ruckersville, Virginia. We were hosted by Luke Riexinger, a former Virginia Tech professor now servin

What is the OLVT? What if students didn’t just study aerospace, but built and launched vehicles themselves? Thanks to a dedicated group of students at Virginia Tech, this dream is now a reality. Started by a group of 10 individuals in 2016, the Orbital Launch Vehicle Team (OLVT) is a student-run organization that is working to deliver an object into low-earth orbit. With increased efforts and member participation, this goal is well within reach. Launch Vehicles Over the cours

Undergraduate research is one of the most rewarding experiences students can take on. It can not only give you crucial experience, usually without requiring any qualifications, but it often helps students realize interests related to their major by working on impactful projects. Plus, research typically has the added benefit of gaining course credit towards your degree, or getting paid a student wage. In addition to honing in on a whole host of technical skills, the soft skil