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EWB-UMN News:
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Description |
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| February, 2009 |
EWB: The Uganda Project Makes the News in the Minnesota Daily
Photo by Anthony Schoenecker
The Need
The rural village of Mulobere, Uganda has been ravaged by AIDS/HIV. The
disease has orphaned many children, who face lives of hardship. The Hope
Integrated Academy, run by Uganda Rural Fund (URF), supports these children
as well as adults from the local community by providing a secondary school,
after school programs, women’s empowerment projects, and community health
education. Engineers Without Borders chapters of the University of
Minnesota and Minnesota Professionals have implemented preliminary phase 1
water and sanitation projects, and are now continuing to partner with URF
and the Mulobere community.
Photo by Anthony Schoenecker
Our Response
In June 2009, we will implement locally sustainable groundwater and
sanitation systems for 500 daily users, along with health education and
malaria prevention initiatives. For more information visit the Uganda Project Page.
Click here to check out the Daily Article
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September, 2008 |
So the search continues...EWB-UMN featured on D2D
Engineers Without Borders - University of Minnesota's Haiti recycling
project is one of the new four initiatives featured by the U of M's Driven
to Discover Campaign. We are proud and grateful to be the first student
group ever to be selected. The campaign focuses on our research work on
plastic recycling. The project involves melting plastic
garbage and molding it into products Haitians can use, turning waste into
something worthwhile. This work was also praised by Keen Footwear, which
awarded our chapter a $25,000 grand prize in their spring Stand Up
Competition for sustainable ideas.
Find out more about the campaign and
our work at
http://www.discover.umn.edu/goodGarbage.php
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| April, 2008 |
"The EWB Experience"
"The EWB Experience" is the first in a series of promotional videos for the University of Minnesota Engineers Without Borders Chapter. This video highlights the work of EWB-UMN through use of photographs from completed and ongoing projects in Guatemala, Ghana, Uganda and Haiti. Enjoy.
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| April, 2008 |
EWB-UMN receives grant from the UofM Institute on the Environment
Engineers without Borders received their Grant for the Uganda Water Supply, Sanitation and Renewable Energy project. This project aims to provide adequate, hygienic, locally sustainable rain water harvesting; ecological dry composting sanitation; and solar-powered energy supply for the Hope Integrated Academy in Mulobere, Uganda.
The Institute on the Environment has awarded more than $20,000 in grants to student organizations across the University of Minnesota. The grants will support projects or activities in spring 2008 that promote sustainability and the environment. The Institute sought proposals from official student organizations on all University of Minnesota campuses. The primary criteria for funding included project feasibility, innovation, reach, the quality of the project, and the potential impact in the community and/or on campus.
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| April, 2008 |
EWB-UMN wins $25k grand prize in sustainable design/innovation contest
The Engineers Without Borders - University of Minnesota Chapter (EWB-UMN) recently won Keen Footwear's Stand For Competition $25k grand prize for our Haiti water sachet plastic recycling project. The Stand competition awarded $150,000 to three categories with three grand prize winners. There were 321 entries to the Stand For division in which activists were to submit sustainable design ideas for the competition.
The project focuses on the design and implementation of constructable and maintainable batch systems for recycling of plastic water sachets made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE water sachets are a primary means by which Haitians transport their drinking water. These sachets are discarded onto streets and in-between homes, a major environmental problem. We are currently researching methods for the re-melting and re-molding of HDPE water sachets into durable footwear for Haitian children. Partnering with Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods, SOIL, an ecological sanitation non-profit working to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged Haitians, we plan to travel to Haiti in summer 2008.
University News Service: Video
University news service: Article
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| March 28-30, 2008 |
EWB-UMN travels to EWB-International Conference
From March 28-30, 2008 members of EWB-UMN traveled to Seattle for the Engineers Without Borders 2008 International Conference on sustainable engineering and global health. The event was hosted at the University of Washington, and featured speakers were Bill Gates, Sr., and Dr. Bernard Amadei. EWB-UMN presented an overview of the completed Ghana project, as well as a lessons learned session to inform other chapters about challenges of working in developing countries. Four posters were presented on the upcoming Uganda, Guatemala and Haiti projects. An awards banquet was held at the Museum of Flight, where EWB-UMN received the Education Achievement Award for the Ghana project, and took second place in the photo contest. |
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| August, 2007 |
Uganda Rural Fund
Hope Integrated Academy: Mulobere, Uganda The Uganda Rural Fund USA (URF-USA), a registered 501(c)(3), is a international grassroots organization focused on ensuring that orphans, needy children, and marginalized communities (especially those affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic) are empowered and reintegrated into society. In the fall of 2005, URF-USA conceived the idea of a primary school, community center, computer center, and vocational school that would exist to provide quality education to children and adults of the Mulobere community and the Masaka region, areas that have fallen victim to the AIDS tragedy in rural Uganda. Thus the Hope Integrated Academy was underway. EWB was contacted for the design of adequate, safe, and reliable water, sanitation, and electrical systems. In the spring of 2007, EWB-UMN teamed up with EWB-VTech to take on the project design.
Link to Project's page |
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| March and April, 2008 |
EWB-UMN News
- EWB-UMN won the Outstanding Service/Philanthropic Award for the Ghana project at the SUA Tony Diggs awards ceremony on April 15.
- An article on EWB-UMN's project in Ghana was published in the most recent Alumni Magazine.
- Nate Knutson authored an article for Crane Engineering's bi-annual newsletter after he presented to the employees at Crane in February. Link to Article. Crane Engineering donated $5000 to EWB-UMN following a December mailing of funding requests to local engineering companies.
- The current issue of Technolog features an article that discusses what EWB has to offer, the Uganda project, and the need for globally versed engineers in the globalizing world of today. Technolog can be found in IT buildings around campus.
- The Minneapolis-University Rotary will be providing $2000 for the Uganda project.
- EWB-UMN presented to the top paving engineers from around the United States at Caterpillar Paving on April 14 at their yearly meeting. CAT was excited about EWB-UMN's work and EWB has been invited back to present to CAT's product engineers in a few weeks.
- Polos and T-shirts are on sale in Lind 5. Polos-$20, T-shirts-$10.
- Keen Footwear will be having a sustainability conference July 12-13 in Portland, Oregon at which we will be announced as the winners of the Keen Stand For competition and we will have a table to present on our work.
- EWB UMN's implementation in Ghana last August is featured in an article in UMNnews. Students sat down with the science editor for the Civil Engineering Department, Charlie Plain, for interviews and discussion about their experiences. more
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| April 3, 2008 |
EWB-UMN and EcoWatch Host E-wast event at the Bell
Electronic Waste Documentary, Panel discussion, and an E-Waste Drop off was hosted at the Bell Museum of Natural History. How we dispose of electronic waste, or e-waste, is a growing problem facing Minnesotans as we consume more and more electronic equipment. E-Waste is the waste generated when we upgrade to a new phone, buy a new computer, and dispose of a T.V. to get the latest technology. This e-waste has a large impact on the environment and health of people in developing nations, where this e-waste is often exported to and recycled improperly. As electronic consumers, we can minimize the impact our e-waste has on the environment abroad and here at home by knowing where to go with our old electronics. Learn more about e-waste through this event, where the short documentary Exporting Harm will be shown followed by a panel of experts, including:
- Joe Aho, Waste Management
- Lisa Bujak, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Prof. Ed Cussler, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Prof. Paige Novak, Department of Civil Engineering
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| March 11, 2008 |
EWB-UMN Speaks at the Bakken
On Tuesday, March 11, EWB presented at the Bakken Museum's "Bakken Evening Out". The Bakken Museum is an electrical engineering museum that hosts a happy hour held the second Tuesday of each month, featuring wine and food samples, exhibits and presentations. EWB was invited to speak at the St. Patrick's Day event under the theme of "Green" inventions, focusing on renewable energy solutions. An overview of the Minnesota EWB chapter as well as a detailed description of the Ghana project was presented to approximately 50 people over the course of the evening. Members also displayed posters on current and upcoming projects.
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| March 4, 2008 |
EWB-USA Founder Speaks at the U
On March 4th, Dr. Bernard Amadei , the founder of Engineers Without Borders-USA, spoke at an IT-sponsored lecture at Tate hall auditorium to an audience of approximately 300 people. Dr. Amadei spoke about the challenges and opportunities associated with practicing engineering in developing nations. He also discussed education of engineers through organizations such as Engineers Without Borders-USA, and the importance of integrating engineering with non-engineering disciplines when addressing the needs of developing communities. Since its founding in 2000, Engineers Without Borders has completed more than 310 projects in 48 countries, according to Dr. Amadei. An informational reception was held before the talk, and a question and answer session followed the talk, facilitated by current EWB project leaders. This allowed the audience to learn more about the University chapter's current projects, as well as how to become involved in the student and the professional chapter.
Event Pictures
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| January 5-12, 2008 |
EWB-UMN completes assesment trip in Guatemala
Four EWB-UMN chapter students and three professional chapter members traveled to Simajuleu Guatemala in January for an initial project assessment. Tasks undertaken included: community health assessment, surveying, water quality testing, and GPS tracking of water sources, and consultation with a hydrogeologist. The crew also made contact with several local agencies interested in collaborating on the project: Long Way Home, Chuwi Tinemet, and SHARE.
Link to Project's page
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| January, 2008 |
EWB-UMN takes on two projects in Haiti
Shada, an urban slum of Cap-Haitien, Haiti, is one of the most impoverished communities in all of Haiti. For the 20,000 residents, there is nearly no sustainable hygienic sanitation and no waste collection program. Engineers Without Borders – University of Minnesota is partnering with Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods, S.O.I.L, a non-profit providing ecological sanitation and education throughout Haiti, to comprehensively address these conditions. The first project focus is the design of next-generation indoor sanitation systems that will economically bring dry composting sanitary systems into the homes of Haitians. The second is the design of safe, locally constructable batch systems for recycling of plastic water sachets in Haiti for the production of both toilet molds to be used in S.O.I.L.’s dry composting sanitation systems and for other products.
Haiti Projects' Page
SOIL Site |
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| January 5-11, 2008 |
EWB Members Travel to Guatemala for Project Assessment .
Four EWB-UMN chapter students and three professional chapter members traveled to Simajuleu Guatemala for an initial project assessment. Tasks undertaken included: community health assessment, surveying, water quality testing, and GPS tracking of water sources, and consultation with a hydrogeologist. The crew also made contact with several local agencies interested in collaborating on the project: Long Way Home, Chuwi Tinemet, and SHARE.
Simajuleu Project Page
Long Way Home's Web Site |
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| November 2-4, 2007 |
EWB Members Travel to Michigan Tech D80 Conference.
Thanks to funding from the CE department, several EWB-UMN members recently traveled to Houghton, Michigan to attend “Engineering Development for Humanity,” a conference held by Michigan Tech’s D80 center. At the conference, members of EWB met with faculty and students of other organizations to enhance their knowledge in engineering and to understand the many challenges that confront our planet's inhabitants and how, as engineers, we can help to improve the quality of life of people in disadvantaged communities around the world.
D80 Center's Web Site |
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| November 1, 2007 |
Ghana project reception a success!
On November 1st, students of EWB-UMN, CE faculty, and the donors of the Ghana project came together to celebrate the project’s success. EWB-UMN and the ARC hosted the reception in Walter Library. During the event, members of the Ghana project team presented the project and their travel experiences to all in attendance and thanked the donors who made the project possible with their generous contributions.
Ghana Project Page
Ghana Project: Gratitude and Reflections |
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| October, 2007 |
New Campus Life status
In September, EWB-UMN made the move to become a Campus Life Program from the previous student organization status. With this new designation there are several upgrades that should be noted. EWB-UMN is now officially affiliated with the Civil Engineering Department. As an organization we may represent ourselves as carrying out the official business of the University of Minnesota. Finally, EWB-UMN now has access to improved financial opportunities to support our international projects.
Student Group Resource Page |
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| September, 2007 |
EWB-UMN’s New Faculty Advisor
We are incredibly excited to announce that Dr. Julian Marshall has taken on the role of our group’s Faculty Advisor. Julian is a second year assistant professor in Civil Engineering’s Environmental sector. Julian, who has traveled, lived, and taught abroad, focuses his research on air pollution and air quality. He will be a great attribute to our chapter.
Professor Marshall's Faculty Web Page |
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| September, 2007 |
New Executive Council Established
This semester David Gasperino stepped down from the position of EWB-UMN President after two years of leadership. He did so with a plan to re-structure the group before passing over the role of President to Brian Bell. Since school resumed, nine executive council members have been installed and have been working hard to evolve EWB-UMN into a stronger and more organized group in which many students of all levels in school will be able to become involved.
EWB-UMN Council Members |
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| September, 2007 |
New Guatemala Project Initiation
At the September student chapter meeting, Derrick Passe invited students of the EWB-UMN to join as participants of the new Guatemala project team. Several students have since become involved in this project and will be traveling to Guatemala in January to perform a site Assessment.
Simajuleu, Guatemala Project Page |
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| August, 2007 |
Uganda Project Enters Design Phase
Following the August Assessment trip on which two EWB-UMN members traveled to Uganda, the Uganda project team is now beginning design of the water supply and sanitation systems. Design is set to be complete in January and the project team will be traveling to Uganda in May to implement their designs.
Uganda Project Page |
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| January, 2007 |
Guatemala Implementation Trip
Eight students from EWB-UMN and four members of EWB Minnesota Professional chapter traveled to  Guatemala in January. We collaborated to bring clean water to Proyecto Chimiya, a sustainable, community oriented ecological park. Our semester of planning and 12 days of hard work was a resounding success! Water now flows from the new spring box over 130ft of elevation and 200 yards to a large storage tank. If you are interested in learning more or becoming involve click below.
Guatemala Project Page
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