Integrative STEM
Integrative STEM
Description
As the global population grows, sustainable housing represents a significant challenge for planners and builders across the globe. In the United States, many homes are built using techniques and materials that significantly contribute to global carbon emissions, pollution, and general waste. These homes are often not as energy efficient as they could be, and the cost of building new homes continues to climb. Alternative building techniques exist, but tend to be ignored in favor of more standardized methods. One such method is known as cordwood masonry. For this challenge, you are to assume the role of a start-up Cordwood Masonry building business seeking to win a contract to develop a plot of land with 75 new single-family homes. The owners of this plot of land are providing 18 acres of wooded land in the northeastern US. The plot has a small creek flowing through the middle. The majority of the timber present is either poplar or various species of maple. The goal of this challenge is to present a convincing argument that the owners of this plot of land should choose your business and the cordwood masonry approach over more traditional building methods.
Notes
Between 1 and 5 people, no more than 1 team per university.
Coordinator
Professor Mike Ulderich, Pennsylvania Western University
