The Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (EXWC) in collaboration with University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), hosted the Problem-based Initiatives for Powerful Engagement and Learning In Naval Engineering and Science (PIPELINES) and Design Challenge Awards Aug. 11.

"I'm very excited about today's presentations. Our project leads, mentors and interns have put together informative presentations on the research they've conducted during the past eight weeks," said NAVFAC EXWC Technical Director and event moderator, Kail Macias. "Eight weeks to research complex design problems is not an easy task. I do not envy our judging panel, our students interns have worked extreme hard and I'm positive it will be reflexed in their presentations."

Six student teams spent eight weeks of summer with EXWC and UCSB mentors working on five engineering design challenges. The teams of 3-4 students enrolled in UCSB and local community colleges were assigned a project and given freedom to develop unique solutions for real-world situations.

The five PIPELINES Design Challenge projects were: Designing an Expeditionary Ladder Kit; Service Life of Marine Concrete Structures with Internal Curing Materials; Improving Safety of the Elevated Causeway System; Examining the Stability of Small Barbell Buoys; Water Efficient Transportable Sanitation Facility; and Password Cracking and Malicious USB Devices. Team mentors briefed each project providing project background. The student-intern teams presented their design challenge solution to the judges and audience of more than 100 educators, engineers and guests.

Each team used PowerPoint presentations and poster boards to highlight their briefs. The six judges representing Navy leadership, engineering expertise and education, scored each presentations on three aspects: technical level or challenge of the project; readiness level, and the clarity and persuasiveness of the presentation.

The PIPELINES Design Challenge award winner was Service Life of Marine Concrete Structures with Internal Curing Materials, interns Carrie Fisher, and Christopher Winig received recognition for their accomplishment from Captain Joseph Greeson, commanding officer (acting) NAVFAC EXWC.

The PIPELINES program is made possible by a three-year ONR grant, initiated in 2016, to develop real-world engineering and science solutions to on-going Naval issues.

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