With new rules and challenges, Iowa State University: National Electrical Contractors Association Student Chapter prepares for competition
It’s 2017 and Cyclone Energy is back in action! After taking home a three-peat in the NECA and ELECTRI International Green Energy Challenge (GEC) last year, the Iowa State Green Energy Challenge (ISU GEC) Team is shooting for their fourth consecutive win.
For Cyclone Energy captain Dylan Busby, a senior in construction engineering, this is the third proposal on which he has worked for ISU GEC. He says the group is ready for the hard work, but understands that the stakes are higher.
“The team is facing new challenges this year as the outreach portion of the proposal is bigger than ever before,” Busby said.
This will be the ninth time the team has competed. For this year’s challenge, teams are required to develop an energy audit and analysis to design upgrades for a local community service facility. The client for ISU GEC’s proposal is the Boys and Girls Club of Story County. The Boys and Girls Club is a non-profit organization. Its goals are to create a safe environment in which both children and young adults can grow. It also functions to help children succeed academically and develop healthy lifestyles.
As history has shown, being part of this team is a great opportunity for students to enhance their skills in communication and team building, as well as to develop an interest in the electrical construction industry. With new team members and new rules and regulations, the student organization has been working hard to provide the best outcome possible to its client’s needs. Members have also been actively involved in volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club and plan to continuing volunteering as opportunities arise.
Members of this year’s team are pictured in front of the Boys and Girls Club of Story County sign (above, right). As shown in the photo: (from left) Conor O’Brien (construction engineering, electrical emphasis), Jonathan Hoehne (construction engineering, electrical emphasis), Julie Penton (construction engineering, building emphasis), Shay Hudachek (construction engineering, building emphasis), Heli Nascimento (civil engineering, general emphasis), Dylan Busby (construction engineering, electrical emphasis), Tristen Girolamo (construction engineering, electrical emphasis), Sara Peterson (construction engineering, electrical emphasis). Not pictured: Marcelious Wyatt (construction engineering, mechanical emphasis). This will mark the seventh and fifth year (respectively) that Dr. Beth Hartmann and Jenny Baker, senior lecturers at ISU’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering (ISU CCEE), have coached Cyclone Energy.
*Article written by Heli Nascimento and edited by Kate Tindall
Find out about more exciting opportunities by visiting ISU CCEE on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn (Iowa State University Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering and ISUConE). Or check us out on our website, www.ccee.iastate.edu.