Clubs
ASHRAE
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers is a global professional association seeking to advance HVAC&R systems design and construction. ASHRAE funds research projects, offers continuing education programs, and develops/publishes technical standards to improve building services engineering, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable development.
ASME
The Cal Poly chapter of ASME, in San Luis Obispo, was founded in 1951 and is dedicated to fulfilling the goals and objectives of ASME. Their purpose as a student chapter is to provide information to students about the mechanical engineering profession, encourage and promote interaction between students and representatives from industry, and give students the opportunity to further their development within the field.
Cal Poly Bike Builders
Cal Poly Bike Builders is a club Cal Poly dedicated to teaching modern methods of bicycle frame building. They use the latest CNC and welding technology to produce high-quality bike frames for personal use and display at different bicycle events around the United States.
Cal Poly Electric Porsche
Cal Poly Electric Porsche (CPEP) is a newly revived club on campus dedicated to converting a 1977 Porsche 911S into a fully functional electric vehicle. The team hopes to produce a first rate electric vehicle to enter into the annual REFUEL Electric Races at Laguna Seca. They also plan on taking their electric Porsche to the annual Concourse de Elegance at Pebble Beach as well as several other Porsche and alternative fuel car shows across California.
Cal Poly Racing
Cal Poly Racing is the largest student chapter of SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) International in California. Over 125 members contribute to the designing, manufacturing, and testing of three racing vehicles that compete in SAE’s Collegiate Design Series (CDS) competitions. These international competitions challenge us to apply our skills outside of the classroom as part of a project that closely imitates industry practices.
Cal Poly Robotics
Cal Poly Robotics is a project-based multidisciplinary club focused on exploring robotics by building creations from our wildest imaginations. Some of their flagship projects include the underwater remotely operated vehicle, a functional life-size replica of the Star Wars BB-8 droid, and an autonomous golf cart.
Instagram: @calpolyroboticsclub
CAPED
Cal Poly Amusement Park Engineers and Designers (CAPED) is a multidisciplinary club dedicated to helping students appreciate, learn about, and connect with the themed entertainment industry. We host industry speaker events, attend professional conferences, and organize a multitude of hands-on projects. Our club is open to students of all disciplines to share their passion, knowledge, and experiences with one another.
EMPOWER
EMPOWER (formerly Quality of Life Plus Student Association) was established to improve the quality of life for individuals facing physical challenges. The EMPOWER (Endeavors to Move People Onward with Engineered Results) club’s newly stated goal is to “create better everyday life through engineering and innovation.”
The club is associated with the new TECHE Lab (Transforming Engineer Through Community Hands-on Engagement). The center will leverage Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing approach to have a wide impact, addressing both individual and society needs.
EMPOWER members work directly with individuals who have needs, then design and manufacture devices that can help. In the past, EMPOWER members have constructed prosthetic arms, legs, hands and other devices to help “challengers” improve their quality of life. The club provides learn by doing and teamwork skills to students outside the classroom while engaging in rewarding, real-world work.
Human Powered Vehicle
Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) club builds streamliners – recumbent, fully-faired bicycles with drive trains optimized for maximum speed. They are a tight-knit and passionate group of engineers who seek to push the boundaries of human performance. This year, they are building a bike which they’ll bring to Battle Mountain, Nevada to break the U.S. Collegiate Speed record.
Pi Tau Sigma
Pi Tau Sigma is a Mechanical Engineering Honor Society, instituted in order to establish a closer bond of fellowship among its members. The objective of Pi Tau Sigma is to encourage and recognize superior scholarship, to foster the high ideals of the engineering profession, to stimulate interest in departmental activities, and to develop the attributes necessary for effective leadership. Pi Tau Sigma members participate in community service and social events in order to interact with other mechanical engineering students and gain recognition for their hard work.
Supermileage
Cal Poly Supermileage is a multi-disciplinary team of students dedicated to designing and manufacturing hyper-efficient vehicles, both gasoline and electric. We compete in Shell’s Eco-Marathon competition, where the strict objective is fuel efficiency. We are a group of forward-thinking students who recognize the need to push the boundaries of current fossil fuel technology in order to make possible the transition to a more sustainable energy infrastructure. We gladly welcome people from any major, and with any skill set!
Society of Women Engineers
The Society of Women Engineers of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, strives to provide a voice for women that will encourage them to achieve their full potential as engineers and as leaders. Their mission to create engineering opportunities, provide career and scholastic resources, and demonstrate the value of teamwork to all students of this university and of the community.
Tau Beta Pi
Tau Beta Pi is the only engineering honor society representing the entire engineering profession. It is the nation’s second oldest honor society, founded at Leigh University in 1885 to recognize students of distinguished scholarship and exemplary character. There are now collegiate chapters at 221 US colleges and universities, active alumni chapters in 16 regions across the United States and a total initiated membership of 429,000.