Tyler Brown (Pratt '06): Engineers Without Borders
When the December 2004 tsunami riveted world attention, Duke reached out in a variety of ways. And one group hasn’t forgotten the continuing needs of that region. Engineers Without Borders in an international non-profit organization that connects disadvantaged communities with engineering students and faculty. Jean Foster and Deidre McShane (both Pratt ’06) founded the Duke chapter in 2004-2005 (awaiting official recognition from the national office).A group from the Duke Engineers Without Borders went to Banda Aceh on the island of Sumatra to help with post-tsunami reconstruction of shrimp hatcheries that are vital to the community’s survival. Tyler Brown (Pratt ’06), along with two Pratt alumni, two Pratt students, and a Civil Engineering professor, relied on purchased materials, palm fronds, and fishing nets to design an aerator to boost shrimp yield and minimize erosion of the hatcheries’ dirt walls. “Seeing the villagers using the aerator, it made me feel good to be physically doing something to help,” says Brown. “Up until that point, I hadn’t applied by knowledge outside the classroom.”
The Duke chapter has identified a number of projects in Indonesia stemming from the December 2004 tsunami, as well as projects in the Research Triangle Park area.
Full Story PHOTO: Matt Edmundson. From left to right, professor David Schaad, Emily Wren, their guide, Deirdre McShane (standing), Jean Foster (sitting), James Garnevicus, and Tyler Brown.