At
the edge of human knowledge, where the work of previous scholars
offers little help, science and engineering pioneers must take a leap into
the unknown. Innovators are a wide range of individuals with
diverse backgrounds: from the physicist who makes a discovery that
expands our understanding of the universe to the everyday engineer who finds an
elegant solution to an immensely difficult problem. One thing these
forerunners have in common: almost all cite the critical importance of
creativity in the discovery process.
A team
of Mines students including, Alexandra Kliche (IE 20), Alex Kringen
(IE 20), Kate Knott (IE 20), and Hans Leonhardt
(IE 20) are exploring the boundaries of engineering, art, and
music. Their senior design project, called “Gateway,” is an interactive
engineered art project planned for installation on the ceiling near
the front door of the university Music Center (Old Gym). The project
includes aspects of mechanical and
electrical engineering. Its designed to sense the location of an
individual below it and play various notes based on the person’s
movement. Black Hills Energy saw promise in the team’s
design and offered a $4500 grant for its installation.
“I
see engineering as part of art,” says Kliche, who
is the visionary for the collaborative project. “The same
creative process is required in engineering, art and music. All
these pursuits are about bettering human life.”
Like
many South Dakota Mines
students, Kliche excels at both music and art.
Both have been an important part of her college career.
“I
was always in the advanced classes, back in high school, but I was
still working on art and music projects,” she says. “I was worried
coming to an engineering school that I would have to give up on the creative
side. But this was not the case. I really want to convey to
people in my shoes that a degree in engineering does not exclude you from
pursuing art and music,” says Kliche.
In
fact, Kliche says her study of engineering and math has improved her art
and music.
“The
math classes helped me see the patterns in the music and how the chords stack
on top of each other, after all music theory is all math,” says
Kliche. “Engineering gave me a more methodical approach to my
art,” she adds. “If you plan your materials and plan your
project you come out with a more impactful and well thought
out piece in the end.”
COVID-19 brought
an abrupt end to the plans for installation of Gateway, but a future
team may be able to take up where this team left off. Kliche is
also planning a similar piece that could go into the Dahl Fine
Arts Center in Downtown Rapid City at some point in the
future. She is now pursuing her masters in engineering management
at South Dakota Mines with plans for a PhD in design.
In
the last century, scientists and engineers have led the planet to new
technological heights, from cars, to computers, to medicine, to space
travel; the work of pioneering scientists and engineers has
created previously unimaginable advancements. The next generation of
engineers, who can cross disciplines provide new creative
energy and thinking, will no doubt again break previous
molds and yield new mind-bending innovation and invention.