Hands-on Experience
Engineering isn't about solving equations and putting a box around your answer. While the calculations are important, an engineer also needs to know how to implement the solution. At McLennan, not only will you master the "basics," like calculus, physics, chemistry, programming and differential equations, you'll also learn to apply those concepts to real-world problems.
We incorporate research and design in nearly all courses and partner with local industry to ensure you are getting the skills you need to succeed in not only academia, but ultimately, in your career as well.
Industry Connections
At McLennan, we work closely with local employers to ensure that students get the right combination of application and theory to succeed professionally. This partnership with our Engineering Advisory Council allows our students to have access to co-ops, internships and mentoring by engineers working in McLennan County.
Our partners also support McLennan Engineering by sharing equipment, serving as guest speakers and providing financial support. We also host an annual Career Mixer in early spring to help students find job placement for the upcoming summer break.
| STV | FreeFlight Systems | Sonoco | Terracon |
| Capstone Mechanical | L3Harris | SpaceX | TXDOT |
| Bowman | Abbvie | City of Waco Public Works | Walker Partners |
Microcredentialing
1024视频 engineering students have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications while still in school. Two key options include:
- CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate): Proves your 3D modeling skills in SolidWorks. Great for mechanical design and prototyping. Take Engr 1304 – Engineering Graphics to prepare for and take this exam.
- CMA (Certified MATLAB Associate): Demonstrates your ability to use MATLAB for programming, data analysis, and modeling. Widely used in engineering and research. Take Engr 2304 – Engineering Programming to prepare for and take this exam.
These microcredentials can boost your resume, strengthen transfer applications, and show future employers you’ve got real technical skills.
NASA MINDS
NASA MINDS is a university-level competition where student teams design, prototype, and present innovative technologies to support future NASA missions, working under faculty guidance and receiving feedback from NASA engineers. 1024视频 Engineering has participated since Spring 2022 and has earned nine awards over four years.
In 2025, 1024视频 was the only two-year college to place, earning 1st in Technical Poster, 2nd in Overall Design, and 3rd in Technical Paper. Their project focused on mitigating the harmful effects of lunar regolith, a highly abrasive and toxic dust that threatens structures on the Moon and Mars.
Engineering Commons
The Engineering Commons is a welcoming, collaborative space open to all 1024视频 engineering students. It’s a quiet place to study, prototype, and connect, with access to 3D printers, a color laser printer, desktop computer, breadboards, resistors, sensors, microcontrollers, a soldering station, LEGOs, and other supplies for hands-on building and design. Whether you're doing homework, tinkering, or teaming up on a project, the Commons is your academic and social hub on campus. Any student who’s declared engineering as a major is welcome to use the space, whether you’re just starting out or deep into your coursework.”
Engineering Workshop
The Engineering Workshop is where ideas get loud. Once you're enrolled in engineering classes, you'll want to roll up your sleeves and start building. After completing a set of required safety training modules, you'll earn keycard access to this fully equipped space, ready for serious student projects. From power drills and cutting tools to the drill press and precision layout gear, it's the real deal. This isn’t a hangout – it’s where you design, build, and take ownership of your work. Safety meets independence in this self-driven, hands-on environment.
Engineering Research Lab
For those with a passion for innovation and design, a semester-long independent research project can provide the opportunity to delve into subjects not normally covered in a typical classroom setting. At McLennan, research is student-driven—you choose the topic, design the approach, and take the lead. Rather than assisting on someone else’s work, you’ll explore ideas that matter to you, with a faculty mentor serving as a guide rather than a director. Most projects take place during the final spring semester before transfer, but any engineering student with a strong academic record may be eligible. Projects vary widely, and you don’t need to have all the details figured out – just a solid work ethic and a willingness to dive in.
The Research Lab is a dedicated space for students pursuing such projects. Equipped with two high-performance design workstations and a CNC machine, it’s a focused, professional environment for serious exploration. This lab functions as a private workspace for top students, and additional specialized equipment can be purchased to support approved research. If you're ready to take your work to the next level, this is where it happens.
Interested in launching your own project? Talk to your professor about independent research or explore team-based opportunities like NASA MINDS to get started.