Increasingly, we’ve found that engineering students at Oregon State University (OSU) are seeking ways to make a lasting impact on our world. In response to this demand, a diverse group of faculty is working together to launch a humanitarian engineering (HE) program: We define HE as the co-development of science- or engineering-based solutions to improve the human condition, namely through improved access to basic human needs (e.g., clean water, clean energy), an improved quality of life, or improved level of community resilience (e.g., disaster mitigation, economic resilience).

Members of the Oregon State University chapter of Engineers Without Borders in Lela, Kenya
Members of the Oregon State University chapter of Engineers Without Borders in Lela, Kenya

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2014 OALA ConferenceOn March 15, Oregon State University hosted the 2014 Oregon Association of Latino Administrators (OALA) conference, a gathering of more than 200 Latino high school principals and education leaders from across the state. Through exhibits and speakers, the event demonstrated efforts to create a more diverse, inclusive, and challenging learning environment for future leaders in STEM professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

The College of Engineering’s Women and Minorities in Engineering (WME) program collaborated closely with conference organizers to showcase the university’s resources for underrepresented minority students in STEM fields and to create a closer dialogue between K-12 schools and higher education. Continue reading

While engineers are naturally talented problem solvers, students across the nation can sometimes lose sight of what it truly means to be an engineer: to create solutions for difficult problems, and to be aware of the societal context within which these problems arise. Kendra Sharp, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, shares how Oregon State is helping to create holistic learning experiences through the Humanitarian Engineering program (HE@OSU), which encourages engineering students to cultivate a deep understanding of culture and social relationships. Engineering students are being taught, through programs such as Engineers Without Borders, what it means to serve a community. Read more.

Steel Bridge Competition
OSU Captain Kileigh Shea runs a lateral brace to the construction site. [Photo by Hannah Gustin]
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) put together a Pacific Northwest Student Conference the weekend of April 25-27 at Oregon State University. Events included a concrete canoe competition, a technical paper competition, and an engineering knowledge competition, among others.

McAlexander Fieldhouse was filled with excitement on the final day of the conference as 17 schools from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and Montana participated in the steel bridge competition. Each team practices and then brings their skills to see who can build the lightest bridge in the least amount of time. After the bridge is complete, 2,500 pounds of weight is put on it. The bridge that fares best under the massive weight is considered the better model. University of Alaska Fairbanks came in first place while Oregon State took fourth place. The contest is a great opportunity for some friendly competition, networking, and a little showing off between civil engineers from different universities.

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OSU’s academic clubs are representing us well all over the nation! Hard work is paying off, and the judges are not the only ones noticing.

The OSU Beaver Racing Baja team came in 2nd at a competition in Auburn, AL, challenging 100 teams from the United States, Canada, Mexico and India. Along with second place the Baja Racing team also earned a number of top honors, trophies, and best of all, $3250 dollars! Continue reading