Engaging the Next Generation’s Engineering Students: The Naming of the Norris Cut TBM

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is undertaking a $13.5 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) during the next two decades. Transparency and public involvement/education throughout the construction process is vital so that customers are not only informed about the projects, but allows the department to earn the trust of its rate-payers on a daily basis. With that in mind, WASD also looks for ways to engage local students to not only educate them about a particular project, but to encourage them to pursue a future career in the engineering profession. One such CIP project is the construction of a new mile-long sewer pipeline connecting Fisher Island to the Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant. A Tunnel Boring Machine is needed in the implementation of this project and the idea of creating a contest to allow local STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) high school students to name the machine was a two-fold opportunity to garner attention for the department’s activities, but to include students, as well. WASD engineers and representatives from associated consulting firms involved with the project visited County STEM high schools and gave presentations that included a variety of topics, with an emphasis on the TBM. Public knowledge of the project was increased and local students had an opportunity to get involved with a significant local project.