[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Nicholas_Copland.jpg” caption=”Nicholas Copland”]When five years of studying finally come to an end next year, 24 Engineering & Society students will be putting their education to the test. They're planning to incorporate the engineering theory and practices they've learned into an applied situation thousands of kilometres from home, in rural Guatemala.

It's called “Society's Challenge,” and it's a new student-initiated group that hopes to apply what they've learned while studying the “human side of engineering.” In the next two semesters the students will use their undergraduate thesis projects as an opportunity to study and implement solutions to specific challenges encountered within El Matatazanos, a town with a population of 40,000 people.

“This is an ideal example of putting the principles of our program on the ground in a developing country,” says Brian Baetz, director of the Engineering & Society program. “It shows how inquiry-based research goes one big step further to make ideas turn into positive action.”

Sarah Lawson and Natalie Rouskov are two of the students who will be participating in the program. They say for them, the program offers a chance to compliment their study of the human side of engineering.

“Our program is supposed to enable us to take a conscious look at how technology affects the environment,” says Lawson. “We wanted to apply our skills and knowledge to a real-life situation, and it's snowballed since then into this huge initiative.”

The project evolved six months ago out of a group discussion about how the students could put their unique education to work in a volunteer capacity. One student with personal ties to the area in Guatemala suggested it as a possibility, and soon the students were forming a group to research the feasibility of a one-month trip abroad.

While they're in the area they have committed to a number projects at the local high school. Society's Challenge has agreed to set up a computer room as well and finish and fully furnish another. Also, they will aid in construction of a one room addition to the school. They also hope to put their final-year thesis projects  ranging in topics from water storage and purification to urban landscaping  to the test.

“We're very excited about this opportunity to 'do' what we're learning,” says Rouskov. “As our academic careers wrap up, it's a great way to feel like we're working toward a purpose.”

The group of approximately 15 students are in the process of fundraising for the $40,000 they expect they'll need to cover the cost of building materials, supplies, food and accommodations for the group, and travel costs. So far they've hosted donut sales and raffles. They have a number of events planned for the fall including a supply drive at some yet to be specified location in the final week of august, and a charity concert roughly scheduled for September 24. They are also hosting an engineering alumni
dinner in October.

For more information visit www.societyschallenge.org

Photo caption: Team member Nicholas Copland helped raise funds for the project by selling Krispy Kreme donuts on May 3, 2003 — the first fundraiser for the group.