EWB/JETS DESIGN CHALLENGE
Congratulations to Sandtown Middle School the EWB/JETS 2008 Design Challenge Winner!
Click here to see their report.
The EWB/JETS Design Challenge is a new program that will introduce pre-college students to service learning based engineering. This engineering activity differs from traditional engineering design competitions in that it highlights important engineering design concepts by rooting the students' motivation in the desire to help those in need. This emphasis on engineering themed service projects allows for real-world reinforcement of sustainable engineering practices as well as the education of ethically responsible and internationally aware students.
Classroom Use
While the competition is closed for 2008, we still encourage you to enter your project in a Science or Engineering Fair. You may also submit your projects to JETS/EWB-USA for information only. Contact shurd@jets@org for submission requirements. Information regarding the 2009 EWB/JETS Challenge will be available in the Fall 2008.
Project Background
The United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) in Tanzania has a long history of community service in education, health, energy and water. Their education efforts include training in computer, English, arts & crafts and HIV prevention to help improve their economy and benefit their communities in general. The center has also help develop solar power for the surrounding communities to reduce their dependence on firewood and charcoal.
Currently the UAACC is building a children's center for up to 30 children. The children's center will house, feed and education the children. There will be an adjacent field for farming where the children will learn to raise their own crops and learn to be self sufficient.
Problem Statement
The Engineers Without Borders-USA-JETS Design Challenge is offering 4 opportunities for students or teams of students to engage the challenges faced by the UAACC and surrounding communities. It is open to any students from K-12 grade levels. It does not have to be part of a school project. You may enter on your own, as part of a school or home school project, or from an organization such as GSA or BSA.
The challenges are open-ended to encourage you to seek creative solutions and ideas. You are especially encouraged to examine to social, cultural, political and economic issues. You are also encouraged to consider appropriate, sustainable technology. Can the community afford and maintain your solution? Does it try to use local resources as much as possible? Is there existing technology that would be best or do you have alternate idea? What are the trade-offs between ideas? How will your solutions affect the community? What are the benefits? Are there potential drawbacks or concerns? You are encouraged to look closely at the interaction between technology and society.
Click on the link below for the program worksheet for each project:
Other Links:
Schedule & Evaluation:
The purpose of this program is offer students (individual or team) an opportunity to creatively work on real world problems. The challenges presented intentionally have very limited specifications, and the potential solutions are very open-ended.
The program is not a "competition". Projects submitted to EWB-USA/JETS will be evaluated according to the criteria listed below. The evaluation will be done by EWB-USA, JETS and UAACC community members. The project will receive a designation of Outstanding, Good, Honorable Mention or no designation. The UAACC is free to implement any or part of any project submitted if they so choose.
A complete description of the project including drawings or sketches must be submitted in MS WORD and/or PDF format (if submitted in electronic format — email/CD/DVD). Please send pictures (jpeg or tiff) of physical models if you make any (which is encouraged).
Students are also encouraged to also submit their projects to local Science & Engineering Fairs or other events. If you do, please let us know about it and your experience whether or not you choose to submit it to us. Your comments will help us improve the challenges in the future.
SCHEDULE: Please send your submission to:
| Via email: |
shurd@jets.org and/or |
| Via mail: |
JETS
1420 King Street, Suite 405
Alexandria, VA 22314 |
to be received no later than: February 25, 2008
It may be submitted at any time prior to then.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
- Meets or exceeds the design requirements & intent
- Understanding
- How well do the students understand the problems?
- Are the solutions well thought out?
- Practicality — Does it make practical sense and is it a workable solution.
- Cost effectiveness
- Appropriate Technology
- Will work for the community and fit their culture.
- Can it be built and installed with mostly locally available resources (materials and skills).
- Sustainability
- Can it be maintained using mostly locally available materials and supplies.
- Can it be understood and maintained by local members of the community.
- Environmentally sound — Will the project have a positive or minimal impact on the environment.
- Creativity & innovation
Your feedback on this program would be appreciated whether or not you submit the project to us.
Send feedback/comments to Stephanie Hurd, shurd@jets.org or Bill Nott, nottw@asme.org.
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