RYERSON INVITATIONAL THRILL DESIGN COMPETITION

This year, for the first time, Carnegie Mellon University students have been invited to participate in the Ryerson Invitational Thrill Design Competition (RITDC).  Universal Creative in Orlando, FL, has been partnering with Ryerson University to sponsor this invitation only, creative design challenge-based competition since 2014.   The competition will test the engineering, design and themed entertainment skills of the participants   The Carnegie Mellon interdisciplinary team consists of Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) students Conor Triplett, and Nidhi Ramanathan, College of Engineering Mechanical Engineering students sophomore Carolyn Youstra, and senior James Biltz, and College of Fine Arts, fifth year Architecture student Monica Toren.  ETC faculty member Shirley Saldamarco the faculty advisor for the team of graduate and undergraduate students. 

The RITDC presents multiple design challenges to teams of up to six students.  The teams choose the challenges they are most interested in and best suit their talent and skills.  While the teams are not required to enter all challenges, they earn points toward the overall competition standings for their placement in the challenges they do enter.  Using imagination, computer software, and rhetorical skills, the teams will solve the challenges and present their solutions to a panel of judges from Universal Creative, Ryerson University, and other industry professionals.

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend the educational programming and exhibits at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo (IAAPA) during their trip to Orlando in November.  This is an amazing opportunity for the students and their participation would not have been possible without the support and funding provided by Dean of Libraries and Director of Emerging and Integrative Media, Keith Webster. 

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