Capstone Project

Over the course of the last two semesters, I've been working hard to complete an Honors Senior capstone project to graduate with University Honors. My goal: to create a design and a report for the construction of a rainwater harvesting structure out at ACU's Rhoden Farm. It will provide demonstrations to visitors of the Farm, showing what the Ag Department is doing here and abroad promoting rainwater harvesting, and provide an outlet for future students to do research the various components of such a system and how they affect efficiency. Now I'm finally done, the report is printed, bound, signed, and turned in. It was a big weight off my shoulders.

Here's some excerpts from my report:

Overview
In our lifetimes, we could very well see the use of water become the biggest concern in our management of resources, greater even than our country's dependence on oil. Water shortages nationally and internationally are affecting farmers' ability to produce crops, cities' distribution of needed water to residents, and even how individual families are able to cook, clean, and satisfy their thirst. One of the ways to combat a lack of water is to capture, store, and make use of rainwater.

I have worked with the Agricultural and Environmental Science Department over the past year to provide a design for the construction of a rainwater harvesting (RH) structure on the grounds of the ACU Rhoden Farm. The structure's purpose will be three-fold. First, to educate and train students and agricultural missionaries on the different components of a RH system and the variables that can affect its overall efficiency. Second, in order to provide a demonstration to the Farm's visitors of a RH system similar to what is being implemented by agricultural missions supported by ACU. Finally, to facilitate research as a way to improve upon the technology being implemented at different sites and increase knowledge of the feasibility of such systems in areas ranging from West Texas to Honduras.

This has been a great model of engineering work that I will be doing in the future. Many engineers are employed as designers and consultants on a project, providing knowledge and expertise. They create the plans for the construction of a building, bridge, or road based on physics and engineering principles, catering to the desired needs of the client or purpose of the intended project. Then either they or the company would hire contractors for the actual construction. My role in the implementation of this RH structure at the ACU Farm is to serve as designer and adviser. My plans and report will be taken and used by the Farm to construct the actual structure in the near future.

Christ-Centered Engineering
As a physics major and a future engineer, it excites me to be able to apply the knowledge I've gained while an undergraduate to a real life problem with an attainable solution. Our modern society often focuses too much on ``high'' technology, especially with recent advances in genetic engineering, exploration of the solar system, and computer technology. Yet this focus takes our attention away from providing for peoples' basic human needs, clean drinking water in particular. By being willing to apply both physical and intellectual effort to what might be hastily dismissed as ``low'' technology, ``the impact of even the provision of a simple household rainwater system [could] be dramatic.''

Rainwater harvesting has a rich history all over the world dating back thousands of years. Many different cultures have captured rainwater for a wide variety of purposes, many of which are still in existence today. Recently, it has become a more viable option for domestic use due to the rise of impervious roofing materials, lower cost of tank design, increased demand in rural areas, and the failure of traditional systems. RH is also seeing a revival as people learn about the inherent quality of rainwater and seek to reduce the waste of our current systems.

There is also an inherent Biblical aspect of rainwater harvesting. Designing and constructing efficient harvesting systems here in the United States and overseas will meet people's physical needs, show the love of Christ through our actions, and open the door to reaching people's spiritual needs as well. It is a great example of vocational mission work in action.

The Agricultural and Environmental Science Department has made a recent push for undergraduate research at ACU focused on increasing farm and ranch production, especially in third world countries. They have implemented some rainwater harvesting systems on existing buildings with the intent of using them to water livestock and raised bed gardens. My project is going to enable them to look more in depth at the variables inherent in a RH system and how they can be manipulated to maximize efficiency.