Capstone Projects

The College of Engineering Leadership Academy is a two-year, extra-curricular program modeled after leadership training programs for young professionals in industry. Students are tasked with completing a hands-on community service Capstone Project. Students form teams based on their interests to design and implement high-impact projects. 

This year's projects will make a difference, and you can learn more about each project below!

Capstone Project:  Local Landscapes

Local Landscapes is a group of students that are determined to enhance the outdoor environment for the Charlotte area. We value the importance of being active outdoors and want to bring those benefits to our local community. Enhancing the landscape by planting new attractive greenery or installing new outdoor interactive equipment will improve visitors’ quality of life and encourage them to visit outdoor spaces more often. With your generous contribution to our efforts, we can share a beautiful uplifting environment with our community.

Capstone Project:  Youth STEM Initiative

Many people have had a mentor or guiding figure who inspired their interest in their passion. We have had someone who sparked that interest in STEM for us and we want to recreate that spark for those coming up. Through our initiative, we will create an active learning program that includes projects and demonstrations to allow students to engage with these topics and give teachers the resources they need to continue providing that spark for students. With your donation, we can turn our vision into a reality.

Our project could do more than just raise STEM awareness, it could bring up a future generation of engineers. The Youth STEM initiative could leave a lasting impact on our community. 

Support the Youth STEM Initiative as we aim to inspire elementary school students to pursue an enthusiastic outlook on the future of STEM.

Capstone Project: Engineers Teach Engineers

Help Us Ignite the Future of Engineering!

We are a team of engineering students from UNC Charlotte, driven to give back to our community by making STEM education accessible, fun, and inspiring for elementary school children in Charlotte. Through our initiative, Engineers Teach Engineers, we’re reaching out to children who might have never see themselves in a lab coat or solving real-world problems—until now.

Imagine a child in a classroom, discovering how to build a DIY lava lamp or witnessing the magic of static electricity for the first time. These moments spark curiosity, showing them that science isn’t just for the select few—it’s for them, too. Through hands-on activities, mentoring, and fun lessons, we’ll show them that engineering isn’t just a dream; it’s an achievable reality.

Many of these kids don’t have role models who’ve gone to college, let alone pursue STEM careers. We’re here to change that by showing them the possibilities, igniting their passion, and help remove the barriers they face. We know that with the right guidance and encouragement, we can inspire them to dream bigger.

Capstone Project: Clean Creek Project

The Clean Creek Project is a community-focused project, whose goal is to clean up our environment with volunteer-based events, and ensure the prevention of further littering in the Charlotte area through the education of younger generations. Our team plans to hold two clean-up events in the next six months to target high littering-based polluted roadways and creeks, totaling at least 5 miles. As part of this effort, we have reached out to our local UNC Charlotte student body, involving the Engineering Freshman Learning Community (EFLC), and the Honors College to help keep our home clean.

The second part of the project will involve our connections to a local grade school, Cox Mill Elementary. Presenting to multiple 2nd grade classes, we intend to help teach students how to identify, clean up, and prevent littering in their area. Focusing on the students remaining safe, while also removing waste from their communities.

Our two-pronged approach will establish lasting influence in the removal of waste in our ecosystem by both directly eliminating and spreading both awareness and involvement in our community.

Capstone Project: Love 4 The Elderly

Imagine feeling isolated. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you. Now, imagine a world full of people but no one around to hear you. 

The harsh truth is that 16% of adults above the age of 65 have reported experiencing severe loneliness, according to the National Library of Medicine. 

If we don’t stop this trend, it will spread to other areas. The feeling of loneliness can lead to larger health problems such as chronic disease and overall mental health decline. However, YOU can work with us to be the change that’s needed! We are a group made up of four students from UNC Charlotte who are all a part of the school’s Engineering Leadership Academy, and our mission is to make the elderly members of our community feel joy by spending quality time with them, writing them letters, creating a photo board of memories for them to look back on, and challenging future students to continue this effort. This is made possible with the support of your funding. By helping the present, we build the future. Join us in ensuring the well-being of the older generation, and please donate now if you are able. Absolutely anything helps and is greatly appreciated. 

Please note that donations directly support the Leadership Academy Capstone Projects ONLY, not the overall Engineering Leadership Academy. Your donation will support Engineering Leadership Academy Capstone projects or future projects related to the Engineering Leadership Academy if this project is fully funded.

Your donation can make this happen. Just $20 provides materials for one student to experience our hands-on activities, while larger donations will help ensure that our work has a lasting impact. With more funding, we can provide schools with additional resources, giving them materials that will continue to benefit students long after our project concludes. With your help, we can supply teachers with resources, provide educational materials, and ensure that no child is left behind due to lack of opportunity

But we can’t do it without you. Every dollar you contribute will have a direct impact on a child's future—opening their minds to new possibilities and paving the way for a brighter tomorrow. Be the catalyst for change! Your donation can help us fuel the imaginations of young engineers!

Donate now and be part of something powerful.

You can double or triple the impact of your gift if your employer participates in a matching gift program.  To see if your employer has a matching gift program, click here. If your company matches, complete your matching gift form and submit it to UNC Charlotte via mail (UNC Charlotte Foundation, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223), fax (704-687-7259) or email (mwinslow@charlotte.edu).