On August 27, 2026, students, faculty, and staff gathered in the lab in the Leidos Building to watch Mr. Goodloe’s Mechatronics students present their capstone projects, the culmination of everything they’ve learned throughout the program, applied to hands-on builds of their own design.

Drake State’s Mechatronics program prepares students for careers in industrial maintenance and advanced manufacturing, covering everything from industrial wiring and automation systems to robotics, giving students a workforce ready skill set.

The capstone presentation gives students the chance to bring that training together in creative, independent projects, and this year’s lineup featured an eclectic assortment. Students presented a working traffic light system paired with model cars, a marble racing Rube Goldberg device, an omnidirectional claw, and a fully functional pinball machine, each project reflecting the technical depth and hands on ingenuity the Mechatronics program is built around.

Adding an extra layer of real-world relevance to the event, this year’s capstone presentations were attended by industry partners who served as judges, evaluating the students’ projects and offering feedback. The presence of these industry professionals gave students a valuable opportunity to interface directly with people working in their intended field, presenting their work, fielding questions, and hearing firsthand what stood out about their approach. For many students, it was a chance to make connections and get a preview of the kind of technical conversations they’ll be having throughout their careers.

Congratulations to all of this year’s presenters on a job well done, and best of luck as you take these skills into the workforce.