Welcome to the first issue of the NDSU Computer Science Capstone newsletter for the 2024-25 school year.  I’m looking forward to another year of interesting projects!
 
Here are a few key upcoming dates (more details below):

• October 18 – Completion date for the planning survey.
• November 27 – Completion date for the project definition and contract input.
• December 20 – Completion date for project pitch content.
• January 13 – May 16 – Capstone course in the spring semester.

PROJECT PLANNING

Fall is the time for Capstone project planning!  The process will be similar to last year as we will have three phases that we will work through.
 
Project Intent Phase – Oct 1-18
In the Project Intent Phase, I will send an email with a survey link to the primary contact for each company on the Capstone list.  The goal of the survey will be to learn which companies are considering sponsoring a project for Spring 2025.  

The primary contact is typically a resource manager at the company and often not the person(s) who will lead the actual project.
 
Project Development Phase – October 21-November 27
The companies that responded with a ‘Yes’ or ‘Maybe’ to the question about sponsoring a project in the Project Intent Phase will develop a project concept in this phase.  This typically happens after brainstorming several projects and then prioritizing based on Capstone fit and company value.  I will be in touch with the project contacts to check in on the planning process and provide input on what works well for Capstone.

This phase culminates with a project description survey that will be used to review the project as well as generate the project contract and other legal documentation.  This will be due before Thanksgiving on November 27th.
 
Project Preparation Phase – December 2-20
The Project Preparation Phase provides a window for project review and refinement (if needed).
The main sponsor deliverable during this phase is a pitch deck and recording that will be used during the first week of class in January.  I should also have good enrollment numbers and a project count.  I will see how these match up with the submissions and adjust as needed.

Throughout all phases, I am available to meet to discuss the program and/or project ideas for 2025.  I have a backlog of several meetings with potential new sponsors that will be held in the first part of October.

RECAP OF 2024

The 23 projects completed in the 2024 Spring semester were split the projects into four “departments”: Digital Transformation, Agriculture, Data & AI, and Education / Engineering Systems / Open Source. At the 2024 Projects | Computer Science | NDSU, you can find a one paragraph summary, the expo poster, and a short video for each project.

For the second year in a row, the peer selected Best in Class award went to a relative newcomer to the program.  FBS re-engaged with the Capstone program last year after taking a break for a few years.  They brought a unique opportunity for students to build an application that supported a community initiative at FBS.  In particular, the application’s goal is to help people from disadvantaged communities learn about software programming. 

Several students who were motivated to make a difference in the community bid on the project.  A strong project team made up of Carson Keeping, Jesse Tan, Joshua Lee, Lance Balstad, and Marissa Rose worked together to build a full stack application.  The application provides a framework for learners to complete self-paced modules for different languages with the support of mentors.  Their project poster provides a good overview of the project and the application.

Here’s a picture of the project team from one of our early class sessions.  Special thanks to Todd Holdman and the team at FBS for their excellent guidance throughout the class.
 

LOOKING AHEAD

Each year brings new opportunities to improve the Capstone program and try out new ideas.  Here are a few areas we’re exploring:

• We’ve taken on startup projects over the last couple of years – including a project for a student’s company. 
• We’re interested in evolving a capability to do projects involving multiple engineering disciplines.  I’ve been involved in a few meetings and tours involving companies interested in multi-discipline projects over the last year. 
• New sponsors like FBS bring energy and fresh ideas to the program.  Over 75 companies are on the distribution list for this newsletter and a few of them will become first time or returnee sponsors this year.

We’re also working to improve the project execution experience during the spring semester.  I will provide more updates on what will be different in Spring 2025 in the next newsletter.
 
Thank you for being part of the NDSU CS Capstone community.  Please drop me a note at david.froslie@ndsu.edu if you have any questions.