South Dakota Mines to Host Largest-Ever Design Fair with More than 70 Student Teams

Innovation will take center stage at South Dakota Mines as a record number of student teams showcase their capstone design projects at the 2026 Senior Design Fair on Tuesday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Surbeck Center Beck Ballroom.

This year’s design fair is set to be the largest in university history, featuring more than 70 student teams representing a wide range of engineering and computer science disciplines.

“This event showcases the talent and technical expertise our students have developed throughout their time at South Dakota Mines,” said Jason Ash, Ph.D., associate professor in the Leslie A. Rose Department of Mechanical Engineering. “Collaborating in a team to take a concept from idea to prototype, while applying critical thinking and design skills, is a key part of their career preparation.”

Attendees can explore these innovative solutions and speak directly to student teams about their contributions spanning industry, government, competition, research-related and local community design projects. Participants will be available throughout the event to answer questions, demonstrate their projects and engage with the community.

All graduating seniors in engineering disciplines and computer science complete a one- or two-semester team design experience, culminating in projects that often address real world challenges. Many are developed in partnership with industry or government sponsors.

Mines has a strong track record of transforming student and faculty innovation into startup ventures that contribute to the regional economy, and several projects featured at the annual fair reflect that entrepreneurial spirit

The design fair is free and open to the public.