Current Projects
In May 2024 NDSU Engineers Without Borders will bring running water to the homes of 400+ Guatemalan citizens for the first time.
La Providencia, Guatemala
Beginning in 2019, NDSU EWB was granted approval to provide water to the homes of a small community in the mountains of NE Guatemala. This project has proved to be one of the most challenging projects that the chapter has undertaken since our establishment. The rural community features steep elevation declines, a lack of electricity and power tools, and nearly total isolation from most other communities and inhabited regions. Despite these challenges, we have completed a PE-stamped design that will provide water directly to the homes of the community for the next 20 years with little to no repairs. This design has accounted for a population growth of up to 1,500 people, all regional and weather hazards that may cause harm to our system, and limited access to construction materials.
After facing delays due to COVID-19, our project is moving forward at full speed. As of June 2023, the well is installed and the preparation work for the implementation of our system is occurring. As we wait for the final seal of approval, we are securing the last of the funds necessary to travel and install the system. The team is currently set to travel in May 2024 to oversee and assist in the implementation of the water distribution system. This process includes over 5 miles of hand-dug trenching, the installation of 3 pressure break tanks, and the instruction of proper health and safety tactics to the local citizens to make sure all parties involved remain safe. If you would like to help ensure that we meet our fundraising goal for the La Providencia Water Distribution System, you can donate below!
Fargo/Moorhead School Districts
During the slow periods of our international projects, NDSU Engineers Without Borders focuses on being “Engineers Within Borders”. We do a variety of projects during this time, but our most common community outreach projects tend to involve working with the elementary students of the Fargo/Moorhead area. We hope to inspire future generations of engineers and students interested in STEM, so we do our best to give students fun opportunities that can develop those interests.
Our most recent endeavor within the schools was a multi-week lesson plan about trebuchets. Children had the opportunity to build mini trebuchets in class, the option to complete additional designs at home and submit them for our team to review, and the chance to see how far their trebuchets could launch. After the lessons were complete, students got to see a full-sized trebuchet launch that was built by the NDSU EWB team! This fall we are hoping to do a water transportation project with the students to honor our water distribution system project that will have recently been completed. Stay tuned for more updates on these local projects! If you would like to help fund these projects so we can reach more local students, you can donate below!