Mechanical engineering undergraduates can count on learning calculus, physics and the ins and outs of computer-aided design software, among numerous other topics, during their years at The University of Toledo’s College of Engineering.
Something that’s not covered in the curriculum? The average distance that a squirrel can leap.
Seniors Madison Sprenger, left, and Nora Beseiso-Shadler, install an obstacle at the Toledo Zoo on Monday, Dec. 1.
But seven seniors found themselves researching that very topic ahead of the College of Engineering’s Senior Design Expo on Friday, Dec. 5, where they’ll be presenting the small-rodent obstacle course that they designed, constructed and recently installed at the Toledo Zoo.
Their obstacle course is one of approximately 75 projects that will be on display from noon to 3 p.m. on the first floor of Nitschke Hall.
“The Senior Design Expo is a testament to how our students help Innovate Toledo, in line with the launch pad introduced by Dr. James Holloway during his presidential inauguration in October,” said Dr. Mohammad Elahinia, dean of the UToledo College of Engineering. “This event reflects our promise to serve the city of Toledo, showcasing how our graduates apply their technical expertise to create entrepreneurial solutions that address the challenges facing our community and industry partners.”
More than 350 students are set to participate in this semester’s Senior Design Expo, with projects ranging from mobile apps to biomedical devices to an animatronic Rocky programmed to quiz passers-by on trivia related to UToledo.
Many teams collaborated with community partners including NSG / Pilkington North America, the Lucas County Engineer’s Office and the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities. One worked with Rocket Dining and UToledo’s Student Green Fund to implement a system of composting food waste at on-campus dining halls.
Lauren Adkins, Joseph Arnold, Nora Beseiso-Shadler, Bashshar Haris, Luke Mikolajczyk, Torri Slomka and Madison Sprenger designed their project in collaboration with the Toledo Zoo’s Nathan Decker, who, as vice president of construction and planning, pitched the team an idea for an attraction that would engage both patrons and the non-caged critters who frequent the zoo.
Decker credited YouTuber Mark Rober with inspiring the idea with the elaborate courses for squirrels that Rober created and documented in his backyard beginning in 2020.
“We thought this was an interesting idea and a fun thing to have on grounds for patrons to see,” Decker said. “At the time we did not have the time to tailor the idea to our grounds, so we moved on from it. Then at the end of 2024, Dr. Matthew Franchetti reached out to me to see if the zoo had any projects we would be interested in collaborating with students on, and that is when I tossed out the idea of having them design the squirrel obstacle course. I have enjoyed working with the students on this project and we appreciate their efforts in bringing this project to life.”
Decker left the specifics of the course up to Adkins, Arnold, Beseiso-Shadler, Haris, Mikolajczyk, Slomka and Sprenger, who set to work researching squirrel behaviors, brainstorming obstacles and modeling their ideas on SolidWorks before finally constructing and installing a maze, a climbing wall, a series of floating platforms and additional obstacles that now beckon curious wildlife near the Nature’s Neighborhood space inside the Toledo Zoo.
Madison Sprenger, from left, Lauren Adkins, Luke Mikolajczyk, Joseph Arnold and Nora Beseiso-Shadler are part of the team that designed and installed a squirrel obstacle course at the Toledo Zoo ahead of the College of Engineering’s Senior Design Expo.
The team designed their obstacles with an eye toward critter safety, applying what they’ve learned in their classes and co-ops to consider how the force of a landing squirrel might affect the stability of their structures, for example.
“It was a lot of little things that you’re taught to think about as an engineer,” Adkins said. “We wanted it to be an obstacle course that’s fun for the patrons and engaging for the wildlife, but it was also important that we keep the squirrels safe. We didn’t want to put them in danger with an obstacle that flings them 20 feet away toward the leopards.”
Another consideration?
The aesthetics of a project that extended beyond prototype. They installed their obstacles at the zoo in late November and early December.
“Patrons will be walking by it,” Adkins said. “So that was another challenge, balancing what we needed to do to make it functional but also attractive.”
Adkins said she’s happy with the team’s work and excited to share it on Friday.
“I’m really proud of this project,” she said. “I’m excited for people to see it.”
Visitor parking for the Senior Design Expo is free in Area 20. For more information on the event, visit the College of Engineering website.
