Design I Final Competition
Spring 2023WELCOME TO THE WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE CHALLENGE
Welcome to the Spring 2023 Water, Water, Everywhere Challenge where the top Cornerstone Design I teams (as picked in preliminary in-class competitions across 30 sections) showcased their final solutions and competed for prizes in an in-person digital poster pitch competition. The semester’s wicked problem was “Water, Water, Everywhere,” where we were seeking opportunities to address the dangers facing communities of humans, other living things, and the environment stemming from water challenges caused by human activity, including drought, flooding, overconsumption, and pollution. Solutions designed by student teams should represent creative, novel responses to some facet of the challenge. With emphases on social dimensions of the problem and the socio-technical intersection, the brunt of solutions are technical in nature, but may touch on any technical field: electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental, computer science, chemical, geological, materials, mining, industrial, etc. (read the full Call For Proposals here).
Teams compete for cash prizes, including a special Subject Matter Expert Pick. Below you can see the grand prize winning teams as well as all of our finalists. Check out their poster presentations next to the team information below. For more information on Design I, click here.
THE WINNING TEAMS
1ST PLACE: M.A.S.T.
Problem Statement: How might we reduce micro-plastics in marine life and take them out of marine systems? MAST: Microplastic Aquatic Separation Tanks
Team Members: William Swells, Ashlé Jantzen, Isaac Williams, Paige Johnson, and Ashley Prohs
Instructor: Cindy Athanasiou, Section K1
2ND PLACE: WATER WIZARDS
Problem Statement: How might we reduce domestic water use in college student housing?
Team Members: Nikita Hanov, Jacob Holland, Matthew Bowar, Noah Adams, and Seth Livingston
Instructor: Mike Davis, Section N1
3RD PLACE: BLASTER SQUAD
Problem Statement: How might we better mitigate dangerous avalanche terrain?
Team Members: Connor Harvey, Quin Pawiroredjo, Sam Robin, Skylark Wild, and Austin Turilli
Instructor: Cindy Athanasiou, Section I1
SME AWARD: M.A.S.T.
Problem Statement: How might we reduce micro-plastics in marine life and take them out of marine systems? MAST: Microplastic Aquatic Separation Tanks
Team Members: William Swells, Ashlé Jantzen, Isaac Williams, Paige Johnson, and Ashley Prohs
Instructor: Cindy Athanasiou, Section K1
THE FINALISTS
Section A1
Team: Team 4
Problem Statement: Toxic mine drainage from abandoned mines is contaminating water sources and ecosystems globally.
Members: Brianna Ruff, Caden Paschke, Tommy Jernigan, Trevor Lewis, and Tyler Long
Professor: Ryan Meyer
Section A2
Team: OOZMA KAPPA
Problem Statement: How can we better suit the Morrow Point Dam in Gunnison Colorado to allow for native fish migration upstream?
Members: Madeline Diesslin, Amelia Johnson, Jaden Nelson, Time McDonald, Mark Nilson
Professor: Barbara Yaeger
Section B1
Team: H2Bros
Problem Statement: How can we decrease the amount of water wasted from irrigation systems in an arid climate?
Members: Daniel Hartson, Braden Struts, Xander Politis, Zander Jungen, and Daemon Howard
Professor: Kate Youmans
Section B2
Team: Mystery Incorporated
Problem Statement: How might we improve existing filtration methods to decrease harmful components in agricultural runoff in the western US?
Members: Kate Gaiser, Remi Jones, Jett Brister, Charlie Yuroff, and Bane Maybury
Professor: Garrett Erickson
Section C1
Team: PAJAM
Problem Statement: How might we limit the amount of Volotile Organic Compounds in the South Platte RIver by reducing the amount of gasoline runoff at gas stations?
Members: Preston Hodges, Aiden Rothe, Joe Reitz, Andre Baucke, Max Marsh
Professor: Kate Youmans
Section C2
Team: PHORGIES
Problem Statement: How might we minimize water leakages in a toilet cistern found in the common household?
Members: Rewa Raizada, Xavier Fross, Alex Morch, Rafael Gonzalez, and Elena Ortegon
Professor: Garrett Erickson
Section D1
Team: Team L.E.A.D.
Problem Statement: How might we increase the accessibility to potable water in residential areas with lead plumbing?
Members: Annabel Papp, Chloe Wulf, Megan Kulshekar, Sam Taylor, and Tyler Wright
Professor: Leslie Light
Section D2
Team: Shroom and Bloom
Problem Statement: How can we create a long term biodegradable solution to top soil erosion?
Members: Rachel LaPlaunt, Parker Hewett, Kendall Dohman, KJ Uzwiak, and Dylann Brown
Professor: Garrett Erickson
Section E1
Team: Seaniles
Problem Statement: Mitigation of residential water damage through installation of water meter/automatic shutoff
Members: Dean Jones, Kerri Hemp, Aaron Brucker, Joshua Lease, and Sarah Quintana
Professor: Garrett Erickson
Section E2
Team: Beachy
Problem Statement: How can we reduce the effects of algae blooms on freshwater?
Members: Ella Slagle, Sergio Delgado, Joe Lange, Lydia Allison, and Chase Cordova
Professor: Cara Juergensen
Section F1
Team: SODR
Problem Statement: How can we reduce background leaks due to improper installation of copper pipe fittings in residential buildings?
Members: Conor Duniway, Jaiden Willemssen, Cody Boie, Andrew Hope, and Nadine Wetzler
Professor: Megan Tidd
Section F2
Team: Giraffe
Problem Statement: How might we ensure a higher quality of water to promote a healthier lifestyle at college campuses?
Members: Ana Poland, Adam Brandland, Dominic Sands, Ryan Drazga, and David Brunell
Professor: Cara Juergensen
Section G1
Team: Gutter People
Problem Statement: Remote Data from Moisture and pH Sensors inform farmers when water irrigation and fertilizer is needed. Data can be sent to a central location. Irrigation can be automatic.
Members: William Bensler, Andres Ramirez, Riley Kitchenka, Harriet Mays, and Luke Sundstorm
Professor: Mark Florida
Section G2
Team: Bench
Problem Statement: How do we reduce the negative influence that Quagga Mussels have on ecosystems and environments that they inhabit?
Members: Audrey Nail, Brenna Sisneros, DJ Heiberger, and Ethan Strauch
Professor: Cara Juergensen
Section H1
Team: Substructure Syndicate
Problem Statement: Secondary barrier wall for new basements prevents flooding of basements. Recovered water outside of the main basement wall is removed with a sump pump.
Members: Elijah Gregg, Austin Howard, Sam Michael, Evan Smith, and Jake Stogner
Professor: Mark Florida
Section I1
Team: Blaster Squad
Problem Statement: How might we better mitigate dangerous avalanche terrain?
Members: Connor Harvey, Quin Pawiroredjo, Sam Robie, Skylor Wilde, and Austin Turilli
Professor: Cindy Athanasiou
Section I2
Team: Swim Shady
Problem Statement: Current Colorado urban infrastructure is not considering aquatic life in their culvert designs, increasing endangerment of species.
Members: Olivia Diedrich, Wes Gowdy, Melissa Giesen, Genevieve Merecki, and Christian Martinez
Professor: Mirna Mattjik
Section J1
Team: Storm Troopers
Problem Statement: How might we reduce the damage done to waterways by road pollutants in stormwater runoff?
Members: David Abbott, Gabe Pope, Charlie Pearlman, Brock Larson, and Victor Rosiles
Professor: Cindy Athanasiou
Section J2
Team: Corn and Cow Association
Problem Statement: How might we decrease the waste of water in Western United States agriculture?
Members: Nick Wyman, Eric Moskal, Tanner McIntosh, and Garrett Weissert
Professor: Mirna Mattjik
Section K1
Team: M.A.S.T.
Problem Statement: How might we reduce micro-plastics in marine life and take them out of marine systems? MAST: Microplastic Aquatic Separation Tanks
Team Members: William Swells, Ashlé Jantzen, Isaac Williams, Paige Johnson, and Ashley Prohs
Instructor: Cindy Athanasiou
Section K2
Team: Bridge Bodyguards
Problem Statement: How might we help prevent bridge scour and the bridge failures that are associated with it, especially in erosion prone areas like the Colorado front range?
Members: Brady Ancell, Luke Boyd, Carter Gonzalez, Grace McCurdy, and Ava Weiss
Professor: Alina Handorean
Section L1
Team: AirShield
Problem Statement: The U.S. has a yearly average of 27 avalanche deaths. What can we do to assist avalanche victims in the rescue process?
Members: Catalina Cronin, Sophia Giglio, Liam Homburger, Gautier Moreau, and Calvin Tran
Professor: Yosef Allam
Section L2
Team: W.Q.M.P.
Problem Statement: How might we monitor water quality of well water?
Members: Tyler Fry, Jacob Kilmer, Ben Roan, Trin Wasinger, Kiersten Wilson
Professor: Donna Bodeau
Section M1
Team: sQUAD
Problem Statement: How might we allow quadriplegics more independent access to water?
Team Members: Says Sabus, Luc DeVore, Caden Swartz, Sam Gregerson, and Cooper Nelson
Instructor: Mike Davis
Section M2
Team: Team Potable
Problem Statement: How can we reduce the waste of potable water in toilets?
Members: Kai Hagler, Randy Lahm, Andrew Mackin, Miguel Wills, and Score Muff
Professor: Michael Sheppard
Section N1
Team: Water Wizards
Problem Statement: How might we reduce domestic water use in college student housing?
Members: Nikita Hanov, Jacob Holland, Matthew Bowar, Noah Adams, Seth Livingston
Professor: Mike Davis
Section N2
Team: Irrig-nation
Problem Statement: How might we improve the efficiency of center pivot irrigation systems for Colorado Farmers?
Members: Henry Rothert, Lucas Iannicelli, Chris Comer, Jenna Garneau, and Angela Cruz
Professor: Patricia Littman
Section O1
Team: Hydro Heros
Problem Statement: How might we improve water usage to be more efficient in residential landscaping?
Team Members: Adam Pagnano, Marley Eisman, Cooper Whatmore, Eldwin Solina, and Joel Coppin
Instructor: Carlos Goncalves
Section O2
Team: Water Warriors
Problem Statement: How might we reduce water wastage in irrigation systems in small scale farms in Penrose, CO?
Members: Sydney Pavetti-Hankey, John Peckham, Rodrigo Ordonez-Enriquez, Zuleka Silva-Robles, and Elena Persley
Professor: Patricia Littman
Section P1
Team: Team 2!
Problem Statement: How do we more effectively conserve fracking produced water in Colorado?
Members: Jenna Ramsey, Gabe Berta, Chris Olsten, Ethan Hendricks, and Pavan Bodapati
Professor: Carlos Goncalves