Program began with 7 engineering students in. 2009. ⢠Partnership began with. Episcopal Diocese of. Upper South Carolina and the village of. Cange, Haiti later ...
Encouraging Innovation through Design in Resource Constrained Environments Ian Davis Clemson University Jeffery M. Plumblee, PhD The Citadel Autumn Brown Clemson University David Vaughn Clemson University 1
Problem Background • Engineers of today face rapidly evolving and globalized fields • An ability to adapt to new technology and challenges is imperative but may not be being imparted on students1
1. Amadei, Bernard, Robyn Sandekian, “Model of Integrating Humanitarian Development into Engineering Education,” Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, ASCE, 2010, 136(2): 84-92.
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Problem Background • Success in the engineering industry relies on much more than an ability to design2 – Creativity – Entrepreneurship – Communication
2. Sonolkar, Neeraj, Ade Mabogunje, Larry Leifer, “Developing Thinking Curriculum for Venture Creation in Resource-Constrained Environment,” International Journal of Engineering Education, 2016, 32(3B): 1372-1384.
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Project-Based Learning • An increased emphasis on project based learning has attempted to rectify this issue • Although more beneficial in many respects to a traditional lecture, critical aspects are still missing from many curricula3 – Interdisciplinary collaboration – Societal considerations – Appropriation of funds
3. Strong, David, S., “An Approach for Improving Design and Innovation Skills in Engineering Education: The Multidisciplinary Design Stream,” International Journal of Engineering Education, 2012, 28(2): 339-345
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Service-Learning and Humanitarian Engineering
• Benefits of service-learning and humanitarian engineering have been extensively noted • Classically taught design thinking is amplified4 – resource constraints – development goals – observable outcomes – considerations for scaling 5. Levine, David I., Alice M Agogino, Martha A. L:esniewski, “Design Thinking in Development Engineering,” International Journal of Engineering Design,2016, 32(3B), 1396-1406
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Clemson Engineers for Developing Countries • Clemson Engineers for Developing Countries (CEDC) is a student-led service learning organization • Its mission is to work with local communities in the Central Plateau of Haiti to develop sustainable solutions through interdisciplinary student-led initiatives 6
CEDC History • Program began with 7 engineering students in 2009 • Partnership began with Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina and the village of Cange, Haiti later that year 7 7
The Cange Water System • Cange’s water system was originally installed by American engineers in 1985 • By 2009, the system was in need of renovation and expansion • CEDC was tasked with project engineering and construction oversight of the system’s renovations • In 2012, Haiti’s first municipal chlorinated water system was commissioned 8 8
Continued Work • Through its internship program and biyearly trips, CEDC has been able to maintain a relatively constant presence in Cange • More projects undertaken – Biodigestors – School illumination – Expansion of Aquaculture
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The Program Today • • • •
75-100 Students 15 Project Groups 5 Functional Groups Grown in response to the unique challenges of working in a developing country
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Organizational Structure
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Fully Integrated Program
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The Project Lifecycle • A need was identified to ensure all aspects of a problem are considered before a solution could be proposed • Projects move through 4 phases from planning to implementation
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Resource Constrained Design • All projects are a response to designing for a resource constrained environment • Appropriate and sustainable technological interventions 18 18
DIY Water Filter • Project began in Fall 2016 • Mission is to build renewable water filters that produce clean water for personal, home, and municipal use
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DIY Water Filter • Placed initial focus on lowest level of intended implementation with future intentions to scale up • Research began by looking into commercially available, personal water filtration technology 20 20
DIY Water Filter
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Solar Power Refrigeration • Another project that began with knowledge of an existing technology and a search for application • Primary purpose now is to address the issue of vaccine spoilage in developing countries
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Solar Power Refrigeration • System Requirements – Able to maintain temperatures of 2-8˚ C in inclement weather and through the night – Cost effective compared to traditional refrigerators – Can be manufactured or assembled in country
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Solar Power Refrigeration
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Closing Points • The program’s corporate organizational structure and defined project lifecycle allows for increased understanding of the real-world engineering process • Designing for a resource constrained environment such as Haiti forces students to find nontraditional solutions to concrete issues 25 25
