Engineers Without Borders
Click here to go to the official Engineers Without Borders student website...
Members of the
SU Engineers Without Borders
student club are continuing their international activities as
well. In June, SU students David Gibbs (BSCE ‘06), Chad McDonald
(BSCE ‘06), Lisa Knapp (BSCE ‘07), Jock Bovington (BSEE ‘06) and
Cassandra Gavin (BS Nursing ‘06) traveled with Civil &
Environmental Engineering faculty and staff (Phillip Thompson,
Mark Siegenthaler, and Fred Jiencke) to Mae Nam Khun,
EWB’s current project focuses on an
elementary school in
Community Involvement
The list of service-learning projects within the
Mobility is Freedom -The Wheelchair Project
"The
Wheelchair Project connects the skills and generosity of the
Electrical & Computer Engineering Department with
Bridge Ministries in
Bellevue. This non-profit organization affords a number of
services for people with disabilities. Among these charitable
works include repairing and donating used wheelchairs and
scooters. Since there is only one engineer at Bridge Ministries
to perform these repairs, they have asked the department for
help in getting this invaluable equipment more quickly to those
in need.
For me, volunteering on such compassionate endeavors like the
Wheelchair Project is what distinguishes a Seattle University
engineering education from any other program. Anyone can go to
an engineering school and get their degree, but where else can
you learn to use your skills for others? Where else can you
learn to engineer a difference for the greater good?",
George Balagtas
Mark Merin (left) George Balagtas (right)
Get Involved: It has been my privilege facilitating this project. It is a win-win for community and students, and provides a rich educational experience. Alvin Moser
Please contact Professor Alvin Moser for
information and participation.
Father Bert Otten, from Electrical &
Computer Engineering, has been involved with a variety of
service projects during his mission in
Another exciting project that is near completion incorporates broadband, satellite communication for St. Canisius High School and the local community. As part of the satellite initiative, Father Otten is working with Phil Thompson who has developed the laptop donation program. Father Otten helps to receive the donations for distribution. Anyone who is interested in donating a laptop computer to the mission in Zambia, should contact campus coordinator Phillip Thompson (thompson@seattleu.edu).
Solar Vegetable Drier
Father Otten is also completing the
construction of a solar vegetable drier for preserving
vegetables and fruits beyond harvest time. The plan is to
produce between 30 and 50 of them for nearby villages. In his
spare time, Father Otten is also teaching a class on Ignatian
Spirituality for The Holy Spirit Sister novices and postulants.
The first revision of the solar
vegetable drier has come out of the Rural Engineering Centre for
testing. Next step is to build 5 more with improvements and
test them. Then 5 more. Fr. Taddeus hopes to get 30 to 50 into
the villages at present.
Jesuit Lights
Simple Inexpensive Lighting for the Developing World
Recent advances in LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology offers a source of simple and inexpensive lighting to replace traditional sources of light in the developing world. In rural areas in Zambia people use a small tin can, diesel fuel, and a rope or cloth wick to provide light for their homes. Although these are cheaper than candles, they have many problems: Matches are used each time illumination is desired. The fuel spills easily. Wind blows out the flame. Grass roofs of houses catch fire easily. They are delighted to use these Jesuit Lights. This Web site (http://www.seattleu.edu/jesuitlights/) offers information, ideas, and directions for designing your own LED lights. JesuitLights...
Laptop Computer Program
EWB students are collecting laptop computers to send to Father Bert Otten's mission in Zambia, Africa. The first successful shipment occurred in December 2006. We are also seeking donations of wireless USB network cards and routers. If you would like to donate equipment, please contact Phillip Thompson.
How to Participate?
Engineers & Engineering Students working or retired are encouraged to explore with us sharing our skills and time making a difference in our communities. Look at that smile above...it is worth the little effort.
Engineers Without Borders
student club