Sponsored by Project Fibonacci, the IEEE and The Shoreline Group.
The ShoreLine Group will select one team to receive a $4,000 Scholarship award to be shared amongst the winning team members. Details are provided below.
What is Project Fibonacci and EPICS?
The Project Fibonacci Foundation hosts an annual leadership and interdisciplinary Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) educational conference for local scholars ages 15-20. This year the Foundation has partnered with the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) to host a community service challenge called EPICS – Engineering Projects in Community Service. Winners of the Challenge will be announced at the Project Fibonacci Conference in July.
Post award, the selected teams will work with Project Fibonacci mentors to realize their EPICS vision. The local chapter of IEEE will provide up to $10,000 for materials required to develop their project. Working with their non-profit partner, the Scholars will deliver a working solution to the non-profit by the end of the calendar year.
Who are the Scholars?
Project Fibonacci Scholars are local high school and college students who are currently or have previously participated in a Project Fibonacci event such as a drone camp or the Project Fibonacci Conference.
What type of projects has EPICS supported in the past?
The EPICS in IEEE program connects engineering with community service in four categories of community improvement effort:
Access and Abilities
Access & Abilities projects help enable adaptive services, clinics for those in need (such as children with disabilities), programs for adults and assistive technologies.
- Example: Portable hand glove, equipped with text-to-speech technology, for 300 hearing-impaired students in Bangalore, India
Education and Outreach
Education and Outreach projects strives to help young students discover the benefits of science, math, technology and engineering. Working with Project Fibonacci, the traditional STEM model is expanded to include the Arts – STEAM. Our STEAM cities of the future will incorporate new artistic endeavors using technology as part of, or to create, their art. Education and Outreach projects strive to stretch young students understanding and appreciation of STEAM.
- Example: Mobile application to facilitate the gathering and distribution of food during natural disasters in Ohio.
- Example: Mobile science lab for rural areas in Namibia
Environment
Engineering and science are key solutions to answering environmental issues. In communities in every region around the world, environments change with the evolution of technology and the need for sustainability. Many projects concern themselves with new ways to create electricity and energy, recycling and the use of renewable energy sources. Through these projects, young students learn about the impact of environmental issues and how STEAM can be part of the solution.
- Example: Wireless water flow meter network to support restoration of oyster beds in the Great Bay of Eastern New Hampshire in the United States
- Example: Solar powered phone charger, Uganda
Human Services
Human Services projects find connections between STEAM and the tremendous scope of community needs. This includes homelessness prevention, security, affordable housing, family and children agencies, neighborhood revitalization and local government. Even after an EPICS in IEEE project is complete, lasting impact continues to be felt through the local non-profit organization’s involvement.
- Example: Air quality sensors in Philadelphia in the United States to investigate asthma incidence among neighborhood residents
What is the role of the non-profit partner organization?
The non-profit partner provides local individual(s) with hands-on experience who understand the problems the community faces. The non-profit partner is key to EPICS. Without the input of the local service organization, scholars are left imaging problems and solutions from afar.
The non-profit partner will be engaged during the proposal development phase. During this phase scholars learn of the problems the non-profit encounters and propose potential solutions. Scholars will be provided access to Project Fibonacci coordinated interviews which will detail the non-profit partner and their challenges.
What non-profit organizations can I work with?
Scholars can work with any community service organization that is not a for profit business.
View videos from six (6) participating organizations that have been contacted regarding the EPICS challenge. Scholars may request registration of other organizations as participants in the EPICS challenge by emailing EPICS@projectfibonacci.org. Project Fibonacci will review the registration request and provide approval by return email.
Can more than one team work propose a solution for the same community service organization?
Community service organizations are often resource challenged, therefore, we ask that no more than two teams contact an individual service organization. Scholars can register their team with a service organization by sending an email to EPICS@projectfibonacci.org.
With permission of the Community Service Organization, exceptions will be granted.
Can more than one team work on the same proposal?
Yes – a scholar can designate a proposal as an Ambassador Proposal coordinating multiple teams. An Ambassador Proposal must include a team lead and identify the roles of individual teams.
How many scholars can be on a team?
Generally, a team consists of one (1) to six (6) scholars. Exceptions will be granted and should be requested via email to EPICS@projectfibonacci.org
What is included in a proposal?
A Proposal Consists of four (4) sections:
- Program Details
- Project Details
- Community Service Organization
- Project Team
The Google Form for submissions here.
When are proposals due?
Proposals are due October 29, 2018
If I need help, how do I find a mentor?
Mentor assistance can be requested via email to EPICS@projectfibonacci.org
What is the ShoreLine Group Scholarship?
One proposal will be selected as winner to the ShoreLine Group Scholarship. The $4,000 in scholarships will be awarded upon delivery of, and acceptance by, the partnering non-profit organization.