During the 2002 United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Environment in Johannesburg the recurrent sentiment echoed by scientists and political leaders alike was clear: developed countries must work to help improve the lot of the world's poor in order to ease the widespread environmental degradation occurring in the developing world today. Engineers stand to be crucial players in this process. However, the training and opportunities must exist for young engineers to apply their skills in the developing world. BLUElab works to address this need.

The student chapter at the University of Michigan works to conceive, develop, and oversee real world projects in underdeveloped countries. The partnership permits engineering students to enhance their technical abilities while gaining a better understanding of the cultural, political, and economic aspects of their work. Concurrently, the host communities become empowered to improve their economic, social, and environmental situation. It is BLUElab's goal to make a tangible impact on real world problems and to help train a new generation of engineering students in the process.

TIMELINE

EWB-UM was founded in 2002 by a group of graduate students and professors. In 2004 our name was changed to reflect our independent ideas about development issues and to be able to interact at the national level with many groups including Engineers Without Borders - USA and Engineers for a Sustainable World - USA.

• Spring 2003: Eight seniors presented the results of their research and development projects at the UM Mechanical Engineering Design Expo.
• Winter 2004: ENGR 490, Engineering for Community offered for the first time.
• Summer 2004: Built and tested three prototype technologies to be used in our field experiment.
• Fall 2004: Offered first lecture series in "Socially Responsible Engineering.“
• Winter 2005: First field project initiated looking at point-of-use water purification systems in the rural Dominican Republic.
• Spring 2005: BLUElab members compete in the People, Prosperity, and the Planet national design competition on the Mall in Washington, D.C.
• Summer 2005: A BLUElab member spent the summer working in Oaxaca Mexico on a drinking water project.
• Fall 2005: BLUElab organizes and presents "Pathways to Sustainability" an interactive exhibit in the Duderstadt center gallery to raise awareness about appropriate technology and sustainability.
• Winter 2006: Team of seven BLUElab members traveled to Rancho al Medio in the Dominican Republic to follow up on our project initiated W05.

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MEETINGS

The BLUElab general body meetings have not been scheduled for Fall 2007. We will determine the schedule the first week of school. Check back here for updated information.

Click here to see minutes from past meetings

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PEOPLE

BLUElab consists of undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates from many different engineering disciplines.

Executive Board

• Faculty Advisor: Steven J. Skerlos Ph.D
• Co-Presidents: Tyler Fowler-Guzzardo and Eva Ward
• Vice-President of Finance: Maria Xiang
• Vice-President of Projects: Mike Berger
• Vice-President of Education: Katy Bellairs
• Vice-President of Outreach: Erica Green
• Vice-President of Membership: Jack Ebert
• Secretary: Genevieve Lampinen

Click here to learn more about BLUElab Executive Boards of the past.

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