I guess I should explain why/how I switched from animation to mechanical engineering.
As a kid I loved to draw and could not get enough cartoon watching. When high school came, I was privileged enough to go to school of the arts high school (in the 415-fo sho.. san francisco, if you didn't get that...) Anyway, after CSSSA I went to SF community college and took gen ed, flash and 3D studio max. I didn't mind the programs-but I hated sitting at the computer for so long. I loved to draw-not sit in front of the computer. Then I remembered what one of the CSSSA teachers said when we went on a field trip to Pixar- "Most animators will become inbetweeners"-that sucks! I also missed my math and science classes and decided that I could be both creative, advance in technology and jump into a demanding field by becoming a mechanical engineer. At first I thought I would like engineering design-then again .. there is auto cad D: so then I decided to focus in thermal/fluids (still mechanical field). Now I have an internship and (sit in front of a computer) write energy efficiency reports for facilities.
I am still in school (i am president of the society of women engineers SWE at SFSU) and I am finally graduating in spring 07...
now to answer your question:
My senior project is to design and build a HPV (human powered vehicle) for the ASME (american society of mechanical engineers) competition. I am also designing a snow gun for my mechanical design class.