WORCESTER, Mass. — Several students from York County attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute recently completed intense, hands-on research projects.

Jessica Greenleaf of Old Orchard Beach, a member of the class of 2019 majoring in biology and biotechnology, was a member of a student team that completed a project in Nantucket.

The project was titled Improving Parks and Recreation Nantucket, Massachusetts.

In their project summary, the students wrote, “We conclude that the end users of parks and recreation facilities are generally satisfied, but recommend several ways to improve parks and recreation management and overall collaboration.”

Mikala Dunbar of Acton, Maine, a member of the class of 2019 majoring in actuarial mathematics, was a member of a student team that also completed a project in Nantucket.

The project was titled Nantucket Food Asset Map.

In their project summary, the students wrote, “The goal of this project was to develop an interactive food asset map and database for Sustainable Nantucket, Nantucket Food Pantry, and Food Rescue Nantucket to identify areas to expand food production, improve food distribution to recipients, and reduce food waste on Nantucket.”

At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue. About two-thirds of students complete a project at one of the university’s 40-plus off-campus project centers, which are located around the world.

A signature element of the innovative undergraduate experience at WPI, the project-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to develop thoughtful solutions to real problems that affect the quality of people’s lives-and make a difference before they graduate.

“The WPI project-based curriculum brings students out of the classroom and their comfort zones and into the global community to apply their knowledge to solve real problems,” said Professor Kent Rissmiller, interim dean of WPI’s Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division. “Students are immersed in a new setting, solving open-ended problems and working with people of different backgrounds-all valuable perspectives for surviving and thriving in today’s global marketplace. They also learn the meaning and magic of teamwork; make a real and meaningful difference in their host community; and gain a competitive edge for any resume, or graduate or professional school application.”

Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Massachusetts, WPI is one of the nation’s first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

WPI’s talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university’s innovative Global Projects Program.

There are more than 40 WPI project centers throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.