AWARDS

Fahad Alkandari, Matthew Allison, Grace McFarland, and Jamol Mirzaliyev won first prize in the international competition, “Engineering for People Design Challenge.” Hosted by Engineers Without Borders UK, students were challenged to use project-based learning to design sustainable solutions in a real-world scenario.

The team considered the cost, effectiveness, sustainability, and social impact of several design project options in the Makers Valley neighborhood of Johannesburg, South Africa. They ultimately chose a project to reduce plastic waste and create safe and sustainable sidewalks.

“We designed the sidewalks to have bike lanes and sidewalks that were buffered with green spaces that contained native trees. This prevents people from parking on the sidewalks and ensures that pedestrians and bikers are safe from cars,” said McFarland, a first-year environmental engineering major.

“This project showed me that engineering isn’t just about technical skills, it’s about listening to  communities and designing solutions that truly make life better. I am proud of what we created, and even more excited about the impact it could have for the future of Makers Valley,” shared Mirzaliyev, a first-year civil engineering major.

The students completed the project as part of their coursework for CIVE 103: Engineering Graphics and Computing taught by CEE Professors Becki Atadero and Ken Carlson.