The University’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders promotes sustainability in foreign countries through research and hands-on projects and locally through service projects.

Clint Gibson, the president of the University’s chapter, said EWB students are working on developing better water sanitation and renewable energy for disadvantaged countries.

“We try to create sustainable engineering projects in third world countries,” Gibson said. “The country has to apply to have a project done. We’ve had three projects going on since 2006.” 

Gibson, a senior in physics and aerospace engineering, said two of those projects are focused on creating better water and energy options for Sierra Leone, and one project is directed towards water sanitation in Bolivia.  

“We have two in Sierra Leone, Africa. One is dealing with renewable energy,” Gibson said. “We are trying to put up fans in the school so the students can study during the day, because it’s so hot there, and also attach lights so the women and children can study at night. In addition, we work on water sanitation; figuring out the simplest and the best methods for treating unsanitary water.” 

Sarah Peterson, the club’s secretary, said the new prototype wind turbine that EWB designed and set up Friday afternoon on campus is part of a Sierra Leone project. 

“It was the second time we put the wind turbine up,” Peterson, a junior in biomedical engineering and textile engineering, said. “We’re using multiple setups to see what went right and what went wrong in order to determine what we need to change for Sierra Leone. When we’re done with [the setups] we are going to donate the solar panels to a high school in North Carolina.”

She said they want students to be able to learn a little about engineering from the panels before entering college. 

Gibson said the committee for the Bolivian water project has traveled to the country a couple of times and hopes to go again this summer. 

“We’re looking at water collection because the problem is the amount; they don’t have enough,” Gibson said. “They’ve been to Bolivia twice and they went back this summer to put in a collection tank. They’re planning another trip this summer to put in another collection tank.” 

The EWB-USA Web site says it is important for the communities being helped to be involved in the programs so that when the projects are finished, the communities can continue to take care of everything themselves.  

“Throughout the program, community members receive training on the maintenance and operation of their infrastructure and a financial mechanism is established to ensure long term economic sustainability,” the Web site says. 

Peterson said her favorite thing so far has been working with the solar panels planned for Sierra Leone. 

“We work to help other countries. It’s hands-on, once you get the research done,” Peterson said. “Last year I worked a lot with the solar panels. It was the first thing I’d really done that was hands-on. We got to unpack the solar panels and figure out how we were going to do everything and how to cut the board.” 

Jake Sanders, a freshman in computer science and the Web Master for Engineers Without Borders, said he has not gotten to do much so far, but has done a little hands-on work. 

“One day I worked on the wind turbine when it was just parts,” Sanders said. “I’ve also used Bondo which seals holes in plastics and boats. It’s very sticky. I think I still have some in my hair.” 

Gibson said the club also works locally in communities and is currently fundraising with a charity golf tournament. 

“We’ve had an ongoing golf fundraiser going on,” Gibson said. “Helping strengthen community ties has been really fun.” 

The national chapter of EWB began in 2002 and now reaches over 300 chapters, 180 of which are on university campuses. 

“Because of its strong university presence, EWB-USA is the catalyst for a new movement to educate the next generation of socially conscious engineers deeply aware of the needs of the rest of the world,” the EWB-USA Web site says. 

The University’s chapter is having an interest meeting on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Location is to be determined.