School of Engineering and Computer Science

SECS students' senior design project benefits sea turtles

This photo was taken during the design and manufacturing phase of the project.

This photo was from November 22, 2022 when the marine biologists presented the Thanksgiving dinner treat to their sea turtles with OU design students on hand to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

This is a group shot of OU SECS mechanical engineering students who participated in the project.

The sea turtles were ready for their Thanksgiving feast when senior marine biologist Lauren Grauer presented the finished product.

More Thanksgiving Dinner excitement

Another photo of the special turtle treat created by OU students in partnership with the biologists at SEA LIFE in Auburn Hills.

Senior marine biologist Lauren Grauer from SEA LIFE donned a wet suit and presented the sea turtles with their special Thanksgiving meal.

SEA LIFE at Great Lakes offers many education programs throughout the year. For example, here is some interesting sea turtle info. Did you know Sea Turtles generally live for between 80 and 100 years!

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icon of a calendarNovember 22, 2022

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SECS students' senior design project benefits sea turtles
The SEA LIFE sea turtle Thanksgiving Dinner project consisted of OU mechanical engineering students developing and 3D-printing a mold of a turkey so that marine biologists could create a special holiday treat.
After having initial discussions in 2021, this fall several Oakland University School of Engineering and Computer Science students partnered with the team at SEA LIFE, Michigan's largest aquarium, at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, to bring some Thanksgiving joy to Benson and Carr, the aquarium's two resident sea turtles.

sea turtle thanksgiving turkey mold
The finished frozen turkey mold

The Thanksgiving Dinner project consisted of OU senior design students developing and 3D-printing a few different size molds of a turkey so that marine biologists could create a gelatin full of pureed vegetation and proteins and vegetables as a special holiday dinner treat. They worked under the guidance of Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Mike Latcha, Ph.D.

"I was excited to pitch the idea to the senior design class this fall as I knew it would be a very interesting project and offer a real world application of 3D design and fabrication," said Latcha. "Several students took an interest and I knew this experience would be something they could talk about on their future job interviews, too!"

The project was also followed by WDIV-TV4 reporter Paula Tutman as she told two stories to viewers about this Thanksgiving idea and then again when she came to the aquarium to witness the Thanksgiving dinner being given to the sea turtles.

sea life building image

Special thank you's go to SEA LIFE's marketing
manager Erik Schreefel and his marketing team
and to senior marine biologist Lauren Grauer
and her team for the access and opportunity!

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