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Nunez Design Challenge Seeks Prototypes for Clean Mississippi River
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Nunez Community College and Sea Grant are calling all designers, builders and visionaries to help clean the Mississippi River.
The Marine Debris Removal Challenge design contest at Nunez tasks designers, paired in teams of two, with developing a prototype to clear post-storm debris from the river. From April 12 through June 28, teams will receive access to the Nunez SkillShop and a $660 supply budget, thanks to funding from Sea Grant, to develop their prototypes. Afterward, the top three teams will present their designs to Start Up St. Bernard in August.
Teams will also be advised by faculty and staff from Nunez’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Division and the Coastal Studies and GIS program. STEAM will oversee time spent using the Nunez SkillShop, while Coastal Studies will introduce competitors to the problem of storm debris, the need for action, and relevant data to bear in mind about the Mississippi River, its delta and barrier islands.
“The Marine Debris Challenge has been several years in the making. Dr. Rexford and I were presented with a challenge to create a program to educate and develop methods to remove litter from the Mississippi River, where our drinking water comes from. Our goal is to support local ingenuity to help solve this persistent problem and encourage a potentially new small business pathway,” said Jacqueline Richard, Coastal Studies and GIS Program Manager and Associate Professor of Geology at Nunez.
Designers will have a broad range of tools at their fingertips at the Nunez SkillShop. The maker space is stocked with 3D printers and modeling software, CNC routers, laser cutters, power tools, hand tools, Adobe creative programs and more.
For additional information, email Dr. Julie Rexford, Director of STEAM, at jrexford@nunez.edu.
About Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College is a student-centered institution that delivers relevant and innovative curriculum integrating the arts, sciences, and humanities leading to academic credentials and workforce opportunities. Nunez serves a vital role in the community by engaging with partners to support student success and personal growth.
