Download 4 credits Satisfies AOK for Natural Science with Lab Instructor: Dr

Tentative Itinerary
1/17/18 – Fly to Guatemala City and drive to
Lake Atitlan (#27 on map)
1/18/18 – Boat trip to coffee plantation,
Maya religious ceremony, free time
J-term 2018 Study/Travel Courses
1/19/18 - Drive to Xela (#12) – Roadside
observations of geology and landslide hazard
1/20–22/18 – Engineering, Geology, Culture
Lectures/tours of historic sites,
free time in Xela
1/23-25/18 – Drive to Chiquisis for field
work, stay at Chuicutama (near Xela)
1/26-28/18 – Project Workshops/tours of
historic sites, free time in Xela
1/29-30/18 – Drive to Antigua (Colonial
Capital – #27), visit Maya ruins and fly home
4 credits
Satisfies AOK for
Natural Science with Lab
Instructor:
Dr. James McLeskey
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (804) 752-3212
4/11/2017
EPHY 140: ENGINEERING FOR DEVELOPING AREAS
Course Description:
For 2018, EPHY 140 will tackle a real-world
environmental problem in Guatemala.
Students will begin the course in the
classroom and laboratory at Randolph-Macon
developing the requisite scientific and
engineering background knowledge and skills
needed to solve the problem (e.g, geology and
geotechnical engineering; hydrology;
topographic surveying; soil laboratory testing
analysis; and CAD software use) in addition to
gaining an understanding of the Maya people
(e.g., history, culture, religion, politics).
Students will work in teams to apply that
knowledge and use those skills to design plans
(on site in Guatemala) for mitigating severe
erosion and instability at Chiquisis near the
Chuicutama Community Center.
Chuicutama
Community
Center housing during
field work
The students will use their newly-gained
knowledge of engineering and Maya culture to
propose successful solutions to the erosion and
instability problems in Chiquisis. Upon return to
Randolph-Macon College, the student teams
will complete written project reports and
mitigation plans in a construction-ready
format. Finally, the teams will make an oral
presentation of their results to Highland
Support Project, the facilitator of community
work, and their peers.
Faculty:
Dr. McLeskey directs the
Engineering Physics program
at R-MC and has extensive
experience in working with
students to tackle engineering
problems across the globe
including those unique to developing
communities. He has worked with students
and researchers on projects in India, Bolivia,
and Egypt. The projects have included the
design of a machine to remove pits from
Jamun fruit in India and the design of a water
delivery system in Bolivia.
Estimated cost:
$3,500-$4,100
The program cost will cover airfare, ground
transportation, admission to sites, meals and
lodging in country (meals during air travel, and
other expenses such as personal expenses and
incidentals are not included ).
R-MC students performing surveys at
Xeabaj school near Chuicutama
Prerequisites:
None
Travel Dates:
Chiquisis, El
11,000, over
looking Xela
4000ft below
January 17-30, 2018
(Classes will be held on campus
before and after the travel)
Centuries old stone arch bridge over former creek in
Xela, near housing and office work location
4/11/2017