RoboScout
News Article
Homepage
In fall 2025, the RobotScout team surveyed the wreckage of a C-130 cargo plane, navigating through darkness, smoke, and poor conditions. With time of the essence, unmanned aerial drones and robotic dogs worked with U.S. Army medics to find, triage, and treat the most critically injured survivors first. The disaster was part of a simulated systems competition held by DARPA, but RoboScout's success was entirely real: The team placed second overall and top among universities. Our research aims to help save lives throughout the state and nation.
“When we talk about robot triage, we’re talking about using drones and robots to assess the severity of injuries,” said Derek Paley, principal investigator for RoboScout. “This would be used when there’s a scenario where there are more patients than medics.”
Photo by Paul Flacks
Future Focus
Your next doctor could be an engineer.
With a highly selective new joint degree program, engineering, math, and computer science students earn a B.S. in College Park and then an M.D. in Baltimore. They excel at using the latest technology and providing clinical care.
Engineers as Doctors
Future Focus
These robots will work for good.
Researchers in Southern Maryland are training autonomous robots to fly and swim safely, even when conditions are variable or the unexpected occurs. From helping during emergencies to delivering our medications, these robots are improving our lives.
Autonomous Robots
Quantum at Maryland
Homepage
News Article
“Quantum has the potential to transform every part of our economy and society, from national security to health care,” says Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “With extraordinary assets and partnerships, Maryland can—and should—lead in this new emerging sector [...] Together, we will make Maryland the quantum capital of the world."
With its proximity to public and private core quantum entities and to Washington, D.C., the University of Maryland is a key pillar in Maryland's Capital of Quantum initiative. Our interdisciplinary quantum research combines physics, computer science, engineering, and materials science, ushering in a new age of technology. Quantum at Maryland has the power to change the world.
Photo via Quantum Technology Center
The CATT Lab
Homepage
News Article
The Center for Advanced Transportation Technology Laboratory (CATT Lab) is the largest transportation big data and data analytics center in the world. CATT Lab supports national, state, and local efforts to provide safe and efficient transportation systems through improved operations and management. The lab's work spans many disciplines, including intelligent transportation systems, law enforcement, network security, private business, defense, and homeland security.
“If there's something bad that happens then we help to coordinate the response between Maryland, D.C., and Virginia to make sure everyone's talking to one another,” says Michael Pack, director of The CATT Lab.
Photo by Mike Morgan
Crossfire
Homepage
News Article
In less than 10 minutes, Crossfire can detect and extinguish wildfires with its advanced AI and drone technologies. An initial scouting drone finds and collects data on a blaze, sending information to a second drone that douses the flame with a fire suppressant. Most of the research has been conducted in College Park and La Plata, but the entire state of Maryland stands to benefit.
“We see this as a platform that could be useful anywhere from the Chesapeake watersheds to the high desert and dry forests out West,” says Phillip Alvarez, associate director of ventures and partnerships at xFoundry@UMD.
Photo by Jayme Thornton
A History of Forecasting a Positive Future
The Engineering of Testudo
It's called the “quintessential Maryland tradition": rubbing the nose of the bronze Testudo statue for good luck. But today's tradition owes its thanks to yesterday's engineers: In 1933, senior class president and engineering student George Weber (1933, civil engineering) raised money for the statue and pedestal; Edwin Mayo (1904, mechanical engineering) helmed the company that produced the 300-pound statue. Their actions set in motion a tradition that thrives today.
Testudo statue dedication ceremony, 1933. Photo courtesy: UMD Special Collections and University Archives
Engineering a Testudo
Maryland Safe Drinking WATER Study
Homepage
News Article
“Our data show that in general things look good. But we have a few samples where concentrations exceed federal limits in both municipal supplies and from wells from around the state. [...] It may be from the supply or the plumbing in the house,” says Allen P. Davis, the Charles A. Irish Sr. Chair in Civil Engineering.
A retired farmer living in the outskirts of Adamstown, Md., worried that her well water may have become contaminated after major construction began on a data center at a nearby superfund site. She turned to the WATER (Water Analysis and Testing for Education and Research) Study for help. The School of Public Health has partnered with engineers in the Clark School to characterize the drinking water quality of both public drinking water systems and private wells in Maryland's underserved communities.
Photo via UMD School of Public Health
Future Focus
Every student will have access to an engineering education.
Through play and friendly competition, the Women in Engineering Program encourages middle schoolers and students from underrepresented communities to pursue STEM educations, transforming the lives of young people throughout Prince George’s, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel Counties.
Engineering for All
Terps Racing
Homepage
News Article
“Most of the time college students, especially undergraduates, are just taking courses and learning fundamentals. That’s definitely needed, but this helps them see how they can translate all the knowledge they’ve gained into a real environment and technology,” says Alizera Khaligh, Terps Racing faculty advisor.
Terps Racing is a student organization with more than 120 members. They design, build, test, and race vehicles in speedways throughout Maryland and the nation. The organization focuses on formula race cars (both internal combustion and electric) and off-road baja vehicles. Students are engaged through hands-on experience, team building, collaboration, and much more.
Photo by Maximilian Franz
Balloon Payload Program
Homepage
News Article
“It really is a student-driven program,” said Mary Bowden, the principal investigator for the program and a lecturer in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. “This program gives students a fun, low-cost initiative to learn hands-on skills and gain valuable engineering design expertise.”
On March 7, 2026, in Clear Spring, Md., the program held its 139th launch, sending two balloons into nearspace. Students ended the day petting horses as they successfully recovered a zero-gravity balloon from a nearby farm. This student-run organization averages four launches per semester. They collect scientific data, test engineering concepts, and collaborate with laboratories to send payloads to nearspace.
Photo by Rachel McCrea
Future Focus
Big data will revolutionize what we think we know about healthcare.
In state-of-the-art facilities in Rockville, we’re preparing students to be leaders in the new, in-demand field of biocomputational engineering. With high-performance GPUs and sophisticated AI, these students are at the forefront of a healthcare revolution, learning how to turn troves of medical data into actionable, personalized insights.
Big Data in Healthcare
Future Focus
You can ‘make’ it in West Baltimore.
Terrapin Works has opened a new makerspace that provides adults with professional expertise, instills in young people a lifelong passion for creative thinking, and helps an entire community build a brighter future together.
Terrapin Works Baltimore
Maryland Map-State
Alex Pile
Created on May 5, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Microlearning: Teaching Innovation with AI
View
Microlearning: Design Learning Modules
View
Video: Responsible Use of Social Media and Internet
View
Mothers Days Card
View
Momentum: First Operational Steps
View
Momentum: Employee Introduction Presentation
View
Mind Map: The 4 Pillars of Success
Explore all templates
Transcript
RoboScout
News Article
Homepage
In fall 2025, the RobotScout team surveyed the wreckage of a C-130 cargo plane, navigating through darkness, smoke, and poor conditions. With time of the essence, unmanned aerial drones and robotic dogs worked with U.S. Army medics to find, triage, and treat the most critically injured survivors first. The disaster was part of a simulated systems competition held by DARPA, but RoboScout's success was entirely real: The team placed second overall and top among universities. Our research aims to help save lives throughout the state and nation.
“When we talk about robot triage, we’re talking about using drones and robots to assess the severity of injuries,” said Derek Paley, principal investigator for RoboScout. “This would be used when there’s a scenario where there are more patients than medics.”
Photo by Paul Flacks
Future Focus
Your next doctor could be an engineer.
With a highly selective new joint degree program, engineering, math, and computer science students earn a B.S. in College Park and then an M.D. in Baltimore. They excel at using the latest technology and providing clinical care.
Engineers as Doctors
Future Focus
These robots will work for good.
Researchers in Southern Maryland are training autonomous robots to fly and swim safely, even when conditions are variable or the unexpected occurs. From helping during emergencies to delivering our medications, these robots are improving our lives.
Autonomous Robots
Quantum at Maryland
Homepage
News Article
“Quantum has the potential to transform every part of our economy and society, from national security to health care,” says Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “With extraordinary assets and partnerships, Maryland can—and should—lead in this new emerging sector [...] Together, we will make Maryland the quantum capital of the world."
With its proximity to public and private core quantum entities and to Washington, D.C., the University of Maryland is a key pillar in Maryland's Capital of Quantum initiative. Our interdisciplinary quantum research combines physics, computer science, engineering, and materials science, ushering in a new age of technology. Quantum at Maryland has the power to change the world.
Photo via Quantum Technology Center
The CATT Lab
Homepage
News Article
The Center for Advanced Transportation Technology Laboratory (CATT Lab) is the largest transportation big data and data analytics center in the world. CATT Lab supports national, state, and local efforts to provide safe and efficient transportation systems through improved operations and management. The lab's work spans many disciplines, including intelligent transportation systems, law enforcement, network security, private business, defense, and homeland security.
“If there's something bad that happens then we help to coordinate the response between Maryland, D.C., and Virginia to make sure everyone's talking to one another,” says Michael Pack, director of The CATT Lab.
Photo by Mike Morgan
Crossfire
Homepage
News Article
In less than 10 minutes, Crossfire can detect and extinguish wildfires with its advanced AI and drone technologies. An initial scouting drone finds and collects data on a blaze, sending information to a second drone that douses the flame with a fire suppressant. Most of the research has been conducted in College Park and La Plata, but the entire state of Maryland stands to benefit.
“We see this as a platform that could be useful anywhere from the Chesapeake watersheds to the high desert and dry forests out West,” says Phillip Alvarez, associate director of ventures and partnerships at xFoundry@UMD.
Photo by Jayme Thornton
A History of Forecasting a Positive Future
The Engineering of Testudo
It's called the “quintessential Maryland tradition": rubbing the nose of the bronze Testudo statue for good luck. But today's tradition owes its thanks to yesterday's engineers: In 1933, senior class president and engineering student George Weber (1933, civil engineering) raised money for the statue and pedestal; Edwin Mayo (1904, mechanical engineering) helmed the company that produced the 300-pound statue. Their actions set in motion a tradition that thrives today.
Testudo statue dedication ceremony, 1933. Photo courtesy: UMD Special Collections and University Archives
Engineering a Testudo
Maryland Safe Drinking WATER Study
Homepage
News Article
“Our data show that in general things look good. But we have a few samples where concentrations exceed federal limits in both municipal supplies and from wells from around the state. [...] It may be from the supply or the plumbing in the house,” says Allen P. Davis, the Charles A. Irish Sr. Chair in Civil Engineering.
A retired farmer living in the outskirts of Adamstown, Md., worried that her well water may have become contaminated after major construction began on a data center at a nearby superfund site. She turned to the WATER (Water Analysis and Testing for Education and Research) Study for help. The School of Public Health has partnered with engineers in the Clark School to characterize the drinking water quality of both public drinking water systems and private wells in Maryland's underserved communities.
Photo via UMD School of Public Health
Future Focus
Every student will have access to an engineering education.
Through play and friendly competition, the Women in Engineering Program encourages middle schoolers and students from underrepresented communities to pursue STEM educations, transforming the lives of young people throughout Prince George’s, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel Counties.
Engineering for All
Terps Racing
Homepage
News Article
“Most of the time college students, especially undergraduates, are just taking courses and learning fundamentals. That’s definitely needed, but this helps them see how they can translate all the knowledge they’ve gained into a real environment and technology,” says Alizera Khaligh, Terps Racing faculty advisor.
Terps Racing is a student organization with more than 120 members. They design, build, test, and race vehicles in speedways throughout Maryland and the nation. The organization focuses on formula race cars (both internal combustion and electric) and off-road baja vehicles. Students are engaged through hands-on experience, team building, collaboration, and much more.
Photo by Maximilian Franz
Balloon Payload Program
Homepage
News Article
“It really is a student-driven program,” said Mary Bowden, the principal investigator for the program and a lecturer in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. “This program gives students a fun, low-cost initiative to learn hands-on skills and gain valuable engineering design expertise.”
On March 7, 2026, in Clear Spring, Md., the program held its 139th launch, sending two balloons into nearspace. Students ended the day petting horses as they successfully recovered a zero-gravity balloon from a nearby farm. This student-run organization averages four launches per semester. They collect scientific data, test engineering concepts, and collaborate with laboratories to send payloads to nearspace.
Photo by Rachel McCrea
Future Focus
Big data will revolutionize what we think we know about healthcare.
In state-of-the-art facilities in Rockville, we’re preparing students to be leaders in the new, in-demand field of biocomputational engineering. With high-performance GPUs and sophisticated AI, these students are at the forefront of a healthcare revolution, learning how to turn troves of medical data into actionable, personalized insights.
Big Data in Healthcare
Future Focus
You can ‘make’ it in West Baltimore.
Terrapin Works has opened a new makerspace that provides adults with professional expertise, instills in young people a lifelong passion for creative thinking, and helps an entire community build a brighter future together.
Terrapin Works Baltimore