MET² Final Presentations at Central Connecticut State University

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has been instrumental in advancing scientific research and education in the United States. The NSF supports the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, which aims to foster cutting-edge research and collaboration among academic institutions, industry partners, and government entities. This center is particularly focused on advanced manufacturing career technical education.

This year, the center is proud to highlight the accomplishments of the 2026 Mechanical Engineering Technologies and Manufacturing Engineering Technologies (MET²) Cohort. These dedicated students have spent an entire semester engaging in rigorous research and hands-on projects that delve into innovative concepts and technical applications. Their work encompasses a range of advanced topics, including Additive Manufacturing, which involves creating three-dimensional objects layer by layer from digital models; 3D Printing, a subset of additive manufacturing that has gained significant popularity for its versatility and accessibility; and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is increasingly being utilized for predictive maintenance in manufacturing settings. This integration of AI enables the anticipation of equipment failures, thereby minimizing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

The MET² 2026 Cohort is pictured with Professor Eric Flynn of Connecticut State Community College Gateway; Mr. John Birch of The Birch Group LLC; Mr. Steven Longpre of the Northwest Connecticut Housing and Innovation Center; Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, Director and Principal Investigator of the NCNGM; Sean Belleau of TriMech; and Dr. Haoyu Wang from Central Connecticut State University.

The culmination of their hard work and dedication was showcased during their final presentation at Central Connecticut State University as part of the University Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD), an annual event that celebrates and promotes student research, creativity, and innovation across various disciplines. URCAD serves as a platform for students to present their findings, share their creative endeavors, and engage in meaningful discussions with peers and faculty about their work. This year's URCAD event took place on Friday, May 8th, 2026, at the CCSU Applied Innovation Hub (AIH), a state-of-the-art facility that encourages collaboration and innovation among students and researchers.

The NCNGM staff was privileged to have Dr. Christine Benz as the moderator for the student presentations. Dr. Christine Benz previously served as the Director of TruServices and Smart Services at TRUMPF Inc. and currently holds an adjunct professor position in Manufacturing and Construction Management at Central Connecticut State University. She has consistently supported the National Science Foundation's initiatives over the years.

This year's projects were made possible thanks to Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch of the NCNGM, Steven Longpre of Northwestern Connecticut Housing and Innovation Center, Sean Belleau of TriMech, Dr. Haoyu Wang of CCSU,  John Birch of The Birch Group LLC, and the numerous faculty and staff from various institutions who supported our students throughout the process. To learn more details about the project, browse our website and read one of our prior articles here: LINK Congratulations to the following students on their achievements!

Team Maker Motion:

Hanif Barrett, CT State Community College Middlesex Jeannie Tran, CT State Community College Gateway Latosha Murray, CT State Community College Gateway Anders Maxilus, CT State Community College Gateway

Team UpTime:

Michael Miranda, University of New Haven Ibraheem Rana, CT State Community College Manchester

Alexander Valdivia, CT State Community College Gateway

Victor Paez, CT State Community College Gateway

Team BEEZ KNEEZ: Jahmal Bynum, Central Connecticut State University

Alissa Pace, Central Connecticut State University Justin Tran, Central Connecticut State University

Dang Ly, University of Connecticut (pictured on phone)

Team Motion Forms: Jacob McCann, Central Connecticut State University

Diego Angeles, University of Connecticut

Thomas Roberts, University of Connecticut

Team MEK Additive Manufacturing:

Matthew Lynch, University of Hartford Emma Dargenio, University of Hartford Kenyce Johnson, University of Bridgeport (not pictured) Learn more about the projects at www.met2program.org

We extend special thanks to the Connecticut College of Technology partners:

Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, Connecticut State Community College, Central Connecticut State University, Charter Oak State College, University of Bridgeport, University of New Haven, University of Hartford, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut, Sacred Heart University, and Fairfield University.