Welcome to STEM Summer Institute 2019, sponsored by mindspark LEarning
@mymindspark @powerofstem #steminspired
Problem Statement:
How can residents of Western Colorado mitigate erosive or expansive soil problems?
Context:
Expansive Soil: 90% of the Colorado’s population lives in areas of soil swelling. The Colorado Geological Survey has estimated swelling soils has cost an estimated $2 billion annually.
Erosive Soil: Soil erosion and the control of sediment greatly impact our city's watershed. Sediment is made up of clay, sand, and various other particles that often settle at the bottom of a stream or body of water, forming through soil erosion and construction activities. Too much sediment in the watershed can cause problems for all of our city's inhabitants. Sediment pollutes drinking water, damages plant and animal habitats, and even clogs storm drains, resulting in increased flooding.
Erosive Soil: Soil erosion and the control of sediment greatly impact our city's watershed. Sediment is made up of clay, sand, and various other particles that often settle at the bottom of a stream or body of water, forming through soil erosion and construction activities. Too much sediment in the watershed can cause problems for all of our city's inhabitants. Sediment pollutes drinking water, damages plant and animal habitats, and even clogs storm drains, resulting in increased flooding.
Task:
Come up with a solution for your given location to provide a cost-effective, long term fix to the problem of swelling or erosive soils. Your solution must have a two tiered approach - proof of concept and repairs/maintenance plan.
Proof of Concept could include the following:
Proof of Concept could include the following:
- Engineered Prototype
- Web Design
- Cad Design or mock-up
- Wireframe
- Sketchup
OUR GOAL
Soil Turmoil in MESA County.