Two Michigan Tech Enterprise teams recently competed at the Illinois Institute of Technology's semi-annual Interprofessional Project (IPRO) Team Experience in Chicago.

Michigan Tech's Blue Marble Security Enterprise team placed second in the Design division of the competition and was awarded first place in the Invited Teams category with a cash award of $500.

The Aqua Terra Tech Enterprise took third place in the Service Learning division and also received recognition as one of the top five exhibits at the exposition.

IPRO, like Enterprise, is an interdisciplinary, team-oriented program designed to provide students with real-world experience through collaboration with industrial sponsors on a variety of projects. Michigan Tech was one of only three universities invited to compete alongside the IIT teams.

The IPRO Projects Day consisted of poster and oral presentations and demonstrations given by the 46 teams. Awards were presented to the top teams in a number of categories, including Design, Service Learning, Process and Product Improvement, Venture Development and Best Exhibit.

"IIT IPRO was a valuable learning experience for me," said Greg LeJeune, fourth-year electrical engineering student and vice president of public relations, Blue Marble Security. “Since we were one of the first teams to ever attend the IPRO from Michigan Tech, I really enjoyed explaining the Enterprise Program to others, as well as the management style Blue Marble Security uses to work as a cohesive team."

"IIT's hospitality was great," added LeJeune. "I would do it again given the opportunity, as well as encourage other students to make the trip."

More information about the IIT IPRO Team Experience can be found at http://ipro.iit.edu/home/main.php.