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SEFW invests in the future:
Supporting STEM & Washington K-12 studies
At the Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington 4th Annual Fall Forum September 18, 2014, SEFW Director Mark D'Amato presented a $5,000 check to Washington STEM, represented by Gillia Bakie. The investment establishes a partnership to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math courses and careers via Washington State Schools. Made possible by generous donors to SEFW, the grant will support field trips to Seattle structural engineering sites and integration of structural engineering subject matter into K-12 classrooms. Further work with STEM and its seven networks around Washington State will advance SEFW outreach to help raise awareness of structural engineering.
As the end of 2014 approaches, SEFW 2014-2015 President Dave Peden and the Board of Directors acknowledge with thanks donors who support SEFW, and welcome year-end donations.
2014 DONORS
(as of 11/14)
$1,000+
Arne Carson
J. Mark D'Amato
Ted Smith
$500-$1,000
Jon Magnusson
Howard Burton
Charles Griffes
$100-$500
R. Scott Douglas
Gregor Edwards
Craig Keller
Charles Pearson
Fred Pneuman
Marga Rose Hancock
$50-$100
Scott Beard
Joyce Lem
Patrick Moran, in memory of Arvid Grant
Jill Shuttleworth
Board of Directors
2014-15
David L. Peden, Chair
J. Mark D'Amato, Vice Chair
Howard Burton, Past CChair
Directors:
Administrator:
Communications:
Since its origination around rebuilding a destroyed bridge in Ethiopia, B2P has facilitated construction of more than 160 bridges in 18 countries. Its mission: "Build to Innovate, Build to Educate, Build to Inspire."
Why rural footbridges? The lack of bridges during rainy season limits access to schools, retail, jobs, and healthcare during the peak rainy season. Via a bridge, commerce in a small community can increase 10-20% over 10 years. "We believe there are 100,000 communities where a bridge is their highest-need project -- a huge number," said Avery.
B2P often finds construction partners -- firms like Turner or Kiewit, or universities such as University of Iowa or Notre Dame -- and then connects with local municipalities and governments to complete the project.
Brooke offered anecdotes of her time working on bridges in Nicaragua an Panama: challenging construction work, such as the time her team and the locals cut, bent, and hand-tied all the rebar for a bridge; and the time local children hand-painted each slat for a 219-foot suspension bridge.
An audience of 150+ engaged in Q+A following the presentation, and departed inspired by the work of B2P and the potential of structural engineering to make a better world.
In partnership with SEAW, SEFW provided scholarships to two students:
Damiano Seghetti, from Spokane, graduated from Mead High School.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Gonzaga University, where he served as president of the Engineers Without Borders program. During his time at Gonzaga, he traveled internationally to Florence, Italy, for study aboard and to Benin, Africa, as a research assistant. He interned at Taylor Engineering and ACME Concrete Paving, and in 2014 accepted a position to begin his career at Coffman Engineers.
In his free time, he enjoys skiing, snowboarding, and rock-climbing.
Wendy Tieu grew up in South King County and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington in 2013, and aims to graduate with her master’s degree from UW in June 2015, after studying abroad in Copenhagen.
During her UW studies, Wendy has served as vice president and interim president for the Society of Women Engineers, helped the ASCE Student Chapter with the Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition, and interned at KPFF and the City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development.
SEFW-produced FILM SHOWING
April 24, 2014 at UW Architecture Auditorium:
Structural Engineers of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair
A broad range of design students and professionals attended the showing, presented in cooperation with UW Department of Architecture and UW Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
At its November 2014 meeting, the SEFW Board of Directors acted to approve grants to Mead School District in Spokane to support its Popsicle Bridge Contest, and to Mountlake Terrace High School for a program in Statics and Bridge Building and a second program in Robotics.
SEFW 4th Annual FALL FORUM Report
Bridges to Prosperity
September 18, 2014 at the Grand Hyatt, Seattle
SEFW held its 4th annual Fall Forum in conjunction with the SEAW Northwest Conference. Avery Bang and Brooke Shore presented their work designing and building rural footbridges in third-world countries through the non-profit Bridges to Prosperity/B2P, established in 2001.
The Foundation presented B2P with a donation to fund further efforts.
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