Mansfield Resident Participates in International Research Project

Christian Mortensen of Mansfield, Mass., a junior majoring in Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), recently completed an intensive, applied research project in London for D-Term. The project was titled Zero Heroes and Bubble Day.

At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that addresses a problem at the intersection of science, technology, social issues, and human needs. About 50 percent of WPI students complete this project at one of the university's 26 off-campus project centers, which are located around the world. A signature element of the innovative undergraduate experience at WPI, the project-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to develop thoughtful solutions to real problems that affect the quality of people's lives-and make a difference before they graduate.

"The WPI project-based curriculum brings students out of the classroom and their comfort zones and into the global community to apply their knowledge to solve real problems," said Professor Richard Vaz, dean of WPI's Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division. "Students are immersed in all aspects of a different culture, from the way people live and work to the values they hold to the foods they eat-all valuable perspectives for surviving and thriving in today's global marketplace. They also learn the meaning and power of teamwork; make a real and meaningful difference in their host community; and gain a competitive edge for any résumé, or graduate or professional school application."

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI was one of the nation's first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering,technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees. WPI's world-class faculty work with students in a number of cutting-edge research areas, leading to breakthroughs and innovations in such fields as biotechnology, fuel cells, information security, materials processing, and nanotechnology. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university's innovative Global Perspective Program. There are more than 25 WPI project centers throughout North America and Central America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe.