Damascus College students gained an insight into the hardship of life in Third World countries when they were challenged to come up with novel solutions to construction issues in impoverished nations.
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Specifically, how could they build safer floating houses in delta regions prone to flooding and monsoons?
Melbourne University engineering students lead about 200 year eight students through an Engineers Without Borders outreach program exposing them to real world problems and encouraging their novel solutions.
“There’s a little bit of theory and then it’s all hands on project work in teams using teamwork to find solutions to problems,” said Damascus teacher Mark McLean.
“They were challenged to design a floating platform that would carry a maximum mass and replicate the same concept for the floating houses that some cultures use.”
Mr McLean said the real-world issues facing residents in third world countries made the students think about the more privileged lives they lead.
The Engineers Without Borders program sends engineers to work in impoverished countries and the goal of its schools program is to inspire children to consider a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
