Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Service opportunity with Habitat for Humanity

We have an exciting opportunity to put your engineering skills to work while doing some service this summer! Habitat for Humanity is building a home in Ogden and they have asked us to help. There will be plenty of opportunities to do both planning and building on this project. Please see the details below and send and email to projects@uofuewb.com if you are interested in helping out. The project will start at the beginning of July so reply quickly if you want to be involved.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT:
Habitat for Humanity would like members of EWB to help build a home in Ogden this summer. The project is located on the corner of Madison and 21st Street. EWB students may volunteer to fulfill any of the following assignments:

1) Structural calculations for the building permit. A complete set of plans will be provided. Volunteers will complete the calculations then return them to Habitat to be stamped by a PE.

2) Plan and fill the project lot to sidewalk grade. The lot is set about 2' below the sidewalk. Volunteers will shoot the grade around the property then estimate the bank cubic yards required to fill and compact the lot. 

3) Building layout. Volunteers will assist with establishing the height and corners of the building foundation.

4) Construction. Volunteers will assist with building the house.

Assistance will be provided for any of the assignments above. If you do not know how to complete one of the assignments but would like to learn and be a part of it, please feel free to volunteer and learn as you participate. Don't miss the chance to be a part of this wonderful project!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Experiences From UofU-EWB Members - Vince De Vita

Welcome to the first of what will be a long running series where you, our members, get to share your experiences working on EWB projects.  For our first installment we hear from former Project Coordinator, Vince De Vita.  Many thanks to Vince for sharing his thoughts and experiences with us.

Navajo Nation:
Navajo Nation is an ongoing project on the southern side of Navajo Mountain, near Page, AZ, that has been both a great volunteer and traveling experience.  These trips involved water supply and solar power installation.  The ability to interact with the locals and see their expressed gratitude has been something that I will reflect upon life-long.  Its culture and site seeing was something that many people will never see or know of.  Networking throughout both the student and professional chapters of Engineers Without Borders has also been an invaluable opportunity.

Yoro, Honduras:

This project is simply just too hard to sum up in only a paragraph.  Nearly every aspect was an experience that can not be expressed.  To be part of bonds made with team members, locals, surrounding country, and chance to put forward something that did, and will continue to do, for the village is something I cannot express.  This project is a three-phase project that involved supplying a steady water supply to small homes in a remote village.  Offering the village a steady water source has not only gave the locals time saving capability, but also a better quality of living.  To be consumed by a whole separate world is something I often remember.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

UofU-EWB Article in Un|Bounded

The latest issue of Un|Bounded; The university of Utah's international publication, has an article with UofU-EWB members Chad Nielson and Vince De Vita.  Click the link below and turn to page 9 to read what they have to say.

University of Utah - Un|Bounded