This year, the IMQT Protolab partnered with the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Northern Michigan University to support two senior capstone projects, connecting students with industry partners and real-world challenges.
Trailbarrow: Trail Construction Efficiency
Peter VandenAvond, Josh Guinazzo, Reed Heathman
In partnership with the Lake Superior Watershed Partnership, team Trailbarrow developed a hitch system that connects an electric wheelbarrow to a Volcon Grunt, allowing it to function as a towable trailer on narrow and uneven trails. The project was motivated by challenges identified by local trail builders, including difficulty transporting materials and physical strain during construction.
The team designed and fabricated a custom trailer hitch assembly, creating a system that allowed the two vehicles to function as one cohesive unit. The result is a more practical solution for trail crews working in tight or remote spaces, with continued field testing planned this summer.
Jackrabbit: E-Bike Use in Winter Conditions
Luke Muffitt, Broc Taylor, Chris Gray
Team Jackrabbit created a winter conversion kit for a Jackrabbit electric bike, designed to make e-bikes usable in snow-covered environments. The system replaces the front wheel with a ski and the rear wheel with a track, allowing the bike to operate in snowy conditions while maintaining a compact and modular design. The system requires no permanent modifications to the bike and can be installed quickly.
Using NMU’s machining and fabrication facilities, the team produced a functional prototype and identified opportunities for further refinement, including improving usability, reducing weight, and preparing the design for potential scalability.
Applied Learning in a Rural Community
Programs like this create a meaningful bridge between education and industry. Both projects required students to work through real-world constraints, including fabrication timelines, material sourcing, and testing limitations. These experiences reflect the kind of applied learning that prepares students to contribute to technical and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the region.
IMQT is proud to support projects that connect student work with community needs and advance innovation in outdoor recreation. Eric Prue and the Protolab team at Innovate Marquette provided guidance and technical support to both teams throughout their projects.
Click here to watch the teams live presentation.
