The SPARK Challenge is a biannual design competition for Purdue ECE undergraduate students

From smart safety gear to creative problem-solving tools, Purdue University students put their ideas and engineering skills on full display during the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s SPARK Challenge, a corporate-sponsored design competition hosted in partnership with the ECE Student Society and ECE corporate partners.

Held in both Indianapolis and West Lafayette, the SPARK Challenge gives students the opportunity to present their projects directly to industry professionals who serve as judges, creating meaningful connections with representatives from leading companies while showcasing real-world, hands-on engineering solutions. The event serves as both a technical showcase and a networking gateway, allowing students to collaborate, innovate and gain valuable exposure to prospective employers.

The following teams were recognized for their standout projects at the Indianapolis and West Lafayette SPARK Challenge events:

Smart Medicine Dispenser won first place at the SPARK Challenge in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS WINNERS

First Place:  Smart Medicine Dispenser

Team members: Andrew Koszegi, Alec Kaufman, Ethan Knoll, Olivia Salama, Loren Kirellos

Description: The Smart Medicine Dispenser manages and times medication release, notifies users when doses are due, and restricts access to prevent misuse by children or others.

Second Place:  Smart Helmet

Team members: Cederick Lopez-Moctezuma, Grayson Deherdt, Suwailem Alsuwailem

Description:  The Smart Helmet is an innovative safety device designed to enhance protection for children and adults participating in activities such as biking, skating, and other sports requiring headgear. 

Third Place:  Depression Soil Moisture Monitor

Eejay Chin and Rushik Tipparti

Description:  A compact system that measures plant water depth using an RP2350B, displays it on a TFT screen, and plays distinct buzzer alerts based on the moisture level.

Fintastic 4+1 won first place in the Senior Design category at the SPARK Challenge in West Lafayette

WEST LAFAYETTE WINNERS

Senior Design

First Place:  Fintastic 4+1

Members:  Daksh Kumar Singh, Taylor Louk, Zafeer Aaryan Reza, Lucas Yu and Aman Marpu

Description:  Automatic aquarium parameter control system consisting of a 5 gallon tank + case holding PCB and wiring components 

Second Place:  Intelligent Bike System

Members:  Aryamaan Dhomni, Nithin Anand, Yash Mishra and Andrew Fewell

Description:  Intelligent Bike Safety System detects vehicles approaching a bike from behind and alerts biker using haptic motors on handlebars. Detects if a crash occurs and alerts an emergency contact. Stores user data and ride data in mobile app. 

PRD-01 won first place in the Course Project category at the SPARK Challenge in West Lafayette

Course Project

First Place:  PRD-01

Members:  Aiden Reittinger, Ashur George, Jacob Ivaldi and Amelia Mietus

Description:  PRD-01 is an 8-step, multi-sequence drum sequencer with multiple saves, a graphical interface for navigating saves/instruments, and a 3.5 mm audio jack output for use with common equipment.

Second Place:  Chroma Sudoku

Members:  Juhil Patil, Julia Scott, Ryam Baker, Nandana Kuruppath Subash

Description:  Sudoku on a microcontroller with LED lights 

Personal or Student Organization Project                    

First Place:  Desktop Electroplator

Members:  Aidan Jacobsen

Description:  The desktop electroplater enables hobbyists to safely grow uniform copper traces on circuit boards using a vinegar'based chemical process. The system integrates a custom 14A digitally controlled power supply, intuitive interface, and optimized environment to advance practical at'home PCB fabrication.

Second Place:  Fit Pet

Members:  Samuel Morales, Alex Marambio Leyton

Description: Fit Pet is a wearable watch with a retro-style that fosters physical activity by making the user take care of a virtual pet by walking it.

Across both events, the SPARK Challenge highlighted the creativity, technical depth and practical thinking that define Purdue ECE students. From senior design projects to personal and student organization efforts, participants demonstrated how classroom learning translates into solutions with real-world impact.

With strong support from corporate partners and student leadership, SPARK continues to be a cornerstone experience for Purdue ECE—one that sparks innovation, strengthens industry connections and prepares students to take their next steps as engineers and problem solvers.

More photos from SPARK can be found here.