Potential Engr305 projects at CCAT
Thank you for considering a project at CCAT (the student-run Campus Center for Appropriate Technology at Humboldt State University). With funding from Associated Students (AS) and Instructionally Related Activities (IRA), CCAT is able to provide hands-on learning opportunities to students in 15 HSU classes each year. CCAT has a lot of resources on hand that can help you explore the realm of Appropriate Technology. In order for your project to flow smoothly, it is important to follow the guidelines and deadlines listed below.
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[edit] CCAT’s Criteria:
A CCAT representative will provide a list of some potential projects on CCAT’s site. However, we are open to your ideas as well!
In order to receive CCAT funding:
- The project must be related to Appropriate Technology and the mission of CCAT, which is to demonstrate that living lightly on the earth is practical and rewarding.
- The project must be at CCAT, a community organization or place, or the project must serve as an educational tool or demonstration that reaches a significant amount of people/year.
- The project must be interpretive.
- A final report must be turned in to CCAT to be put on file.
- If CCAT is unable to fund your entire project, other sources of funding or donations must be explored.
- Projects must be able to be completed within semester time frame, unless specific circumstances of project are discussed with co-directors prior to submitting proposal.
[edit] Starting your Project
It’s a good idea to get started on your project as soon as possible, as most projects take much longer than you would expect. As a general rule, expect projects to take at least three times longer than you originally estimated. CCAT will connect you to a co-director, CCAT employee, or community member who can best assist you with your project. This person will be your primary contact. Communication is the key! This person will assist you in project development and answering questions on issues such as using your IRA funds. While we will be assisting you throughout the project, it is your responsibility to complete it, and it is your instructor who ultimately grades you!
[edit] Project Proposal & Budget Estimate
Once your project group (of any size) has developed an idea sufficiently, you need to turn in a brief project proposal (one per group) to CCAT. This proposal must include a detailed description of the project with accompanying sketches, a list of materials needed (as complete as possible), and a budget estimate. Click below for a link to our general budget template. From this link you can save a copy of the template as a Microsoft Word document. Also below is an example from a 305 project last Spring (2009) Create the budget estimate by sourcing and pricing the items on your materials list. Try to foresee non-material costs (like tool rentals) as well. Please see the attached example budget proposal. These documents allow us to ensure that all awarded projects receive funding. To ensure that there is enough time to complete your project, these proposals must be delivered to CCAT by the FOURTH WEEK of classes. We cannot award any funding until we receive your budget. When we determine which projects we are able to fund, we will contact you. Once you are awarded funding, the first thing you should do is schedule a meeting with your CCAT contact. They will orient you to CCAT’s resources and facility, and then you can get rolling on your project! Have lots of fun!
File:CCAT Project Budget Sheet.doc
File:CCAT Natural Wall Construction Budget Example.doc
[edit] Spending Money on Your Project
The following paragraphs describe how to spend money on CCAT projects. All expenditures need to be approved by the whole group. Purchases $50 and over should be made by your CCAT contact (a CCAT employee or co-director). For smaller purchases, you may buy the item. Then turn in to CCAT your original receipt, attached to a piece of paper with your name, project name and class written on it, as well as a brief statement of how the item is part of your project. Reimbursement usually takes at least a week. If you are confused about how to obtain an acceptable receipt, please ask prior to making the purchase.
[edit] For receipts to be accepted:
- Official printed receipt that has the name/address of company, an itemized account of purchases, a total, and proof of payment (i.e. account balance = $0).
- Hand-written receipts must be on company letterhead (or have a business card attached). They must include all of the same information as a printed receipt, and must be signed by the seller.
- If there is any name of purchaser on the receipt, it must be your name.
- If you use a credit card, include the printed slip.
- If you pay with a check, it is ideal to first make a copy of the check. Otherwise, you may have to have your bank send a copy.
All purchases must be made before Finals Week!
[edit] Potential Projects
[edit] Potential Projects for Engineering 305 SPRING 2011
- Pedal Power Blender Refurbishing: (2 people) The blender bike was built in 1997 by Bart Orlando and a HSU student and was always a crowd favorite at CCAT events. This project will rebuild, restore, or redesign the currently broken pedal power blender at CCAT. Focus will be on making the bike durable, interpretive, and easy to use and maintain.
- Remediation Garden: (2 or 3 people) This project focuses on CCAT's north-east zone behind the bamboo grove. Remove invasive species and remediate zone by planting a combination of native species, medicinal herbs, beneficial and aesthetic bushes, flowers, and shrubs to increase diversity and restore zone. Project will include aspects of landscape design and permaculture. Be creative with the space by incorporating art, sitting, or other ideas for use of the space.
- Greenshed Rainwater Catchment and Use (2 or 3 people): CCAT has a couple of rainwater catchment systems in place around the grounds, and the newly built greenshed offers another roof space for CCAT to collect water from. This group will research, design and build a rainwater catchment system that is suited for the location, complements the greenshed aesthetics, and built of appropriate materials. This project also provides an opportunity to implement a sink or irrigation system to use the stored rainwater.
- Mini Greenhouse (2 or 3 people) Since the Buck house moved a few years ago CCAT has been without an established greenhouse, so we are hoping for greenhouses to grow vegetables and plants that require a warmer climate. This group will design and build one or more greenhouses measuring about 7’x3’x4’ that possibly incorporate raised beds, storage shelves, and creative design. Some safety glass windows are already available for use at CCAT.
- Earthen Plaster Fireplace Covering (2 people) The fireplace hearth is prepared for a layer of natural plaster and is awaiting an artistic mural or painting. This group will research and test natural plaster recipes for durability, apply the plaster, and create an aesthetically pleasing artistic finish with a found object mural, natural paint painting or combination of both. Background in art and/or natural building is helpful.
- Bike Trailer (2 people) The versatility of bicycle transportation is often limited when it comes to hauling things that don’t fit in a basket or backpack. CCAT would love to showcase a lightweight, durable and easily replicable trailer bike trailer with a universal attachment made of reused/recycled materials. In order for the trailer to be most useful to CCAT it large and strong enough to haul a straw bale.
- Greywater Marsh Testing and Revamp (2 people) The current greywater marsh has a number of shortfalls that prevent it from functioning efficiently. This team would conduct a careful study and test of the marsh to identify areas for improvement, then suggest and possibly implement design improvements.
- Energy Audit and Efficiency Implementation(1 or 2 people) There’s always room for improvement at CCAT. This group would conduct an energy audit of the Buck house and implement an efficiency improvement based on their findings of the areas draining the most energy. There’s an element of freedom to design what you see fit with this project so creative problem solving is a must. Familiarity with energy audits and (potentially) construction skills would also be helpful in executing a successful project.
- MEOW Planning and Redesign (1 or 2 people) The Mobile Energy Operations Wagon is an important outreach and education tool available for powering community events as an exhibit for solar technology. Recently it was stolen, vandalized and stripped of its valuable elements. While this is quite the let down, it provides an opportunity to improve upon the past design. Members of this group will work on redesigning the system, planning for a gradual rebuild schedule, and potentially tracking down sources of funding. Knowledge of or background with electrical work helpful.
- Tandem Bike Restoration (1 person) CCAT has an old tandem bike frame that we would like to restore with reused/recycled and appropriate materials. This project is ideal for a bike enthusiast with a creative and innovative side. <b
- Data Collection System (2 people) CCAT would like to monitor the resource use patterns across changes in co-directors and improvements on the house. Research, design and create a budget for monitoring systems and/or sensors that automatically log data on electricity, water, air, etc to create data log for future projects to reference.
[edit] More Projects
If you want to get more involved with CCAT or know anyone who would like to work with us on other projects follow the link below. CCAT Potential Student Project Page
