Interactive Qualifying Project

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The Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) is one of the most distinctive elements of the WPI Plan and WPI’s signature project-based curriculum, giving every WPI student the experience of working in interdisciplinary teams to solve a problem or need that lies at the intersection of science and society. 

Unlike an academic course, this nine-credit-hour requirement involves students working in teams, with students not in their major, to tackle an issue that relates science, engineering, and technology to society. Sustainability serves as a common theme for IQPs, many of which address problems related to energy, environment, sustainable development, education, cultural preservation, and technology policy.

Lifelong Impact of Projects
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Be Immersed. WPI in the World.

Participating in a global experience is an invaluable part of a WPI education, which is why we’re excited and proud to announce that beginning with the Class of 2022, all students will receive a scholarship up to $5,000 to complete a global project. Improve water efficiency in pueblos in New Mexico or identify solutions for traffic congestion in Acadia National Park in Maine—both are examples of how WPI students have created change in their own lives and the world through their IQPs. Whether you decide on a project center across the city or across the world, It’s the experience that takes you further, and we can’t wait to see where yours will take you.

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A Degree Requirement that Changes Students, and the World

Through the IQP, WPI science, engineering, and business students immerse themselves in problems of societal importance—problems that matter to people and communities. They bring ingenious approaches to an astounding array of challenges—and the projects fundamentally change the students, building leaders who possess passion, proficiency, and a certainty that their life’s work can change the world.

Making a Difference Near and Far

On-Campus

Here on campus, students engage in IQPs working closely with faculty advisors or through one of our on-campus project centers that bring together groups of IQP teams and advisors with similar project topics. Examples include energy, water and transportation projects focused on making sustainability a daily part of campus life. Search for other on-campus opportunities. 

In Local Communities

Through the IQP, students can make a huge social and economic impact right here in Massachusetts. A number of students engage in IQPs at our local project centers in Worcester, Springfield, Boston, and Nantucket.  One local publication in Nantucket, N Magazine talks about the impact WPI students have on this local community.

Around the Globe

Through the Global Projects Program (GPP), students collaborate with faculty advisors, sponsors, and community members to complete IQPs at one of our many Project Centers around the globe, including New Zealand, Thailand, and Cape Town, South Africa.

President’s IQP Award

The President's IQP Awards recognize the student teams whose conception, performance and presentation of their Interactive Qualifying Project has been judged outstanding in focusing on the relationships among science, technology, and the needs of society. 

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The WPI students provided an invaluable resource to the Department of Conservation, New Zealand. They provided insight into the public perception surrounding the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin, while working to improve public knowledge. Beginning Quote Icon of beginning quote
  • William Arlidge
  • The Marine Species and Threats Team, Department of Conservation
  • WPI Project Sponsor

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

WPI's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem focuses on helping innovative ideas turn into reality through funding and mentoring of Interactive Qualifying Projects. The university also offers project collaboration space to support student IQP work.

Global Impact

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Cultural Buddy System Connects Students in Taiwan

Taiwan is ideal for a WPI project center, where students tackle Interactive Qualifying Projects connecting society and technology.

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WPI Student and Alumni Impact

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In Search of Potable Water on Mars

PhD student Lydia Ellen Tonani-Penha ’23, MS ’25, is addressing the challenge of extracting drinkable water from Mars' subsurface. As a NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunity fellow, she aims to develop solutions for future Mars explorers. 

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Preview Garcia

Q&A with Rosanna Garcia, Paul R. Beswick Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Professor Garcia answers questions about the entrepreneurial culture of WPI

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News

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Faculty Snapshot

Dominic Golding

Learn more about the teaching professor of The Global School and director of the London and Nantucket project centers

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Donor Profile

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Anonymous Generous Contribution

Anonymous Donors Contribute $6.1 Million to Support Students

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Media Coverage

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Nantucket Current
WPI Students Evaluating Nantucket Community Pool Usage

As part of their Interactive Qualifying Project, four students at WPI's Nantucket Project Center are conducting a survey about usage of the Nantucket Community Pool. The project, in partnership with the Nantucket Community School, is one of 89 projects that WPI students have conducted at the project center since 2008 in collaboration with local organizations and town officials. “These projects have covered a wide variety of topics in areas such as energy conservation, museum studies, parks and recreation, coastal erosion, parking, sustainable agriculture, affordable housing, facilities management, light pollution, and town trees," said Nantucket Project Center Director Dominic Golding.

 

Additional Publications: The Inquirer and Mirror
Nantucket Current
Town Pilots New Streetlights On Main Street To Combat Light Pollution

Nantucket is working in partnership with four WPI students and the non-profit Nantucket Lights on a project to reduce light pollution. As part of the students’ Interactive Qualifying Project, the students will take feedback from residents on new LED streetlights and potential future lighting decisions as part of the town's adoption of an outdoor lighting by-law.

Additional Publications: The Inquirer and Mirror
Waste Management Review
JSS project uncovers the importance of recycling education

An article in Australia's Waste Management Review highlighted the work of WPI students during their Interactive Qualifying Project at the Melbourne Project Center. The students helped Jesuit Social Services' Ecological Justice Hub to support local recycling solutions by designing a plastic recycling assembly line to collect, sort, and recycle bottle caps and turn them into new products. In March, the student team was honored for its work as winners of the Forum on Education Abroad's Award for Academic Achievement Abroad.

 

 

 

Livability
Meet the People Who Help Power Higher Education in Worcester

“WPI is making contributions to global efforts around sustainability, climate adaptation, social equity and global health.” Mimi Sheller, dean of The Global School, discusses the global impact of WPI faculty and students; and the dynamic environment and cross-institutional collaboration generated by Worcester’s colleges and universities. 

Integrative & Global Studies
Student Project Resources
Project Database