INNOVATION July-August 2017

c ommun i t y Science Spotlights at Local Libraries: Volunteers Needed APEGBC has partnered with three regional libraries to spotlight engineering and geoscience as a part of Science Literacy Week, which runs September 18 to 24, 2017, and includes activities highlighting the different types of science and science- career opportunities. In the coming months, APEGBC will be arranging visits at libraries in the Fraser Valley, Okanagan and Greater Victoria regions. To support this outreach initiative, APEGBC is looking for engineers and geoscientists living or working in or near the following cities to sign up as Career Awareness Volunteers:

• West Kelowna • Vernon

• Victoria • Oyama

• Revelstoke • Chilliwack

• Hope • Agassiz

At the Science Literacy Week visits, volunteer engineers and geoscientists will talk to students about the professions, what they do, and why engineering and geoscience are such important careers. The presentations will also include hands-on activities that allow students to explore engineering and earth science firsthand. To volunteer, visit apeg.bc.ca/For-Members/Volunteers. For information, contact APEGBC Communications Officer Chelsea Smith at careerawareness@apeg.bc.ca.

Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair The annual Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair (GVRSF) offers more than 300 students in grades 7 to 12 the opportunity to showcase their original scientific research or innovation projects to their peers, university students and professors, parents, industry experts, and more. APEGBC sponsors awards for outstanding engineering projects in the fields of chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, and mechanical engineering as well as systems design. Dr. Hamid Ghanbari, P.Eng., has represented the association on the GVRSF organizing committee since 2013.

Kate Zraly and Madeleine Quong-Lee were the APEGBC Award Winners in the Junior Division for their Recycling Robot. Kate and Madeleine created a software program that takes the guesswork out of deciding which recycling bin to use or whether the object it destined for garbage. Created on a Raspberry Pi mini computer, the recycling robot is a proof of concept that its creators believe can be used in the future for a real world application. Reduce, Reuse, reCompass project. Jonathan developed a prototype to enable single-use Compass tickets used on the Metro Vancouver transit system to be recycled by removing the embedded electronics and separating them from the paper.Although reCompass requires many more prototyping iterations to prove out the design, Jonathan believes the concept is applicable for BC Transit and potentially transit systems around the world. Jonathan Cao was the APEGBC Award Winner in the Intermediate Division for his

Christopher Halim was presented with the APEGBC Trophy as well as the APEGBC Award in the Senior Division from Dr. Hamid Ghanbari, P.Eng. Christopher designed a motorized cable sweeper to decrease the chance of “ice bombs” falling onto motorists using the Port Mann Bridge. The motorized cable sweeper would be put into use at the start of snowfalls to consistently run over the cables, preventing buildup of snow and ice. The sweeper wraps around the cable and then is locked in place, and runs on motor that recharges the batteries as it travels back down the cable. To prevent the sweeper wheels from freezing up, a cone with a circular brush attached on either end prevents snow from entering inside the cable sweeper.

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