2040 Vision
Goal
From 2013 to 2014 EMIT students were given the goal to create a self sufficient society to exist in a possible future that is effected by certain environmental restrictions. These societies were expected to generate their own energy by personal choice of solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind energy. In addition to self sufficient energy generation, each team was also given the goal of maintaining agriculture in some form from a contained wildlife zone to planters attached to residential units along. Other requirements were commercial, residential, and entertainment units to supplement the projected populations along with a fully realized topographical map of assigned locations. Students were encouraged to utilize unique and experimental ideas in order to truly give an innovative edge to what they were producing.
Overall Outcome
When it was all said and done the 2040 Vision was a success. Even when facing delays and unexpected difficulties in equipment, each team successfully brought something to the table. All forms of ingenuity were displayed in a variety of ways. There were prominent examples of students who were able to use E.M.I.T.'s resources to the fullest with beautiful creation with the use of the newly acquired (at the time) laser cutter from Hurricane Lasers, the 3D priter from Makerbot, and the ZPrinter 250 from ZCorporation. These such resources allowed for the creation of the required topographical maps as well as for creating puzzle like cutouts to be put together for buildings or straight forward creation of 3D representations of buildings. The creative aspect arose with the unfortunate malfunction of the laser cutter nearing the final days of construction. To combat this major setback many students took the straightforward approach of producing their own cutouts from hand while others found use in materials from Styrofoam and paper to more unique yet oddly sensible objects like toy Lego building blocks. With the competition of project construction it came time for presentations. With backing from research as well as additional knowledge learned along the way from professional consultation from Jim Coullard (Landscape Architect) and ... (Duke Energy Representative) students displayed well versed knowledge in their fields within their communities and were able to successfully pitch their communities to all of the administrators.