Xavier announces winners of first-ever University of the Future Design Challenge

Xavier University announced winners of its first-ever University of the Future Design Challenge last week, selected from over 75 participants by Center for Innovation staff members, including its brand new director, Dave Zlatic. Using Xavier’s state-of-the-art MakerBot 3D printing facility, the challenge drew participants from across campus — including faculty and alumni — to learn how to use a 3D printer, scan a 3D image and design a 3D-printable piece.
 
Participants were attracted to the Challenge when Xavier held a week-long 3D printing training session in mid-May. 3D printing expert Poppy Lyttle joined the ranks at the Center for Innovation from MakerBot Industries in Brooklyn to teach the course. She hopes that the seminar and subsequent competition encourages even the least “artsy” students to give it a try.
 
“There is just so much you can do,” Lyttle says. “Knowing about 3D printing can expand your career options — research, product design and development, engineering, industrial application, architecture, hospital simulation labs. There are uses we can’t even imagine.”
 
With the course completed, participants were asked to submit their 3D designs for judging. Winners of the Challenge were selected from three different categories: “University Structures of the Future,” “Learning and Teaching in the Future” and “New Technologies.”
 
The first category asked participants to envision a college campus in the year 2025. The winning submission, created by Megan Bowling, is called the “Releaf Station,” a structure that uses solar energy panels to power a sensory deprivation chamber that will allow students total relaxation between classes.
 
The second category looked for teaching aids and classroom components that students might see in 2025. The winning design belonged to Xavier Assistant Professor in Chemistry Stephen Mills, who created 3D versions of Acetylene and Allene chemicals to better explain chemical bonding to chemistry students.
 
The winner in the “New Technologies” category was Leonard Rich, who created a cinder block connector that could be used to prevent soil runoff in raised garden beds.
 
The first place winners received $150 and 100 grams of free printing for their efforts. Runners-up received 50 grams of free printing at the Innovation Center.
 
For the full list and photos of the first- and second-place winners, click here.