Featured Projects
Through Duke University’s new First-Year Design (FYD) program, students gain early experience as they work in multi-disciplinary teams to design and build prototype solutions to solve real-world, client-based problems.
Breathe Easy
A hand-held inhaler that helps the elderly to self administer medicine
Turn Taker
A “lock-out” buzzer for a specific, adjusted, individual amount of time to support learning for students with ASD
Blamo
A cheap, noninvasive design that can work with current heating systems to distribute cool air
Recent News
September 19, 2019
SipClip receives exclusive invite to RESNA
A team's electric toothbrush attachment designed to assist those with ALS gains national attention!
September 4, 2019
'I Can Do This'—Duke’s First-Year Design Course Boosts Student Self-Efficacy
Student surveys also show improved teamwork, communication and leadership skills.
May 22, 2019
Engineering first-years build Mast
Duke Forest provides an update on Duke Student Activity, including how one FYD team took on the challenge of collecting and sorting mast (the fruit of forest trees and shrubs... like, acorns and nuts!).
Inspiring Engineers
Duke Engineering offers students a progressive immersion in engineering design, from the first-year overview to capstone design projects in their chosen disciplines.
Be part of the excitement
You have the opportunity to support bright students and to benefit from their ideas!
Project Idea
When you see a need or problem, submit the idea as a project.
Provide Support
Share you knowledge as an expert in the engineering field as a team mentor
Pay It Forward
Support components of the First Year Design program to ensure student success
Explore our impact Map
Click the pins to see First-Year Design clients and projects by location