Yesterday, three BCIT Civil Engineering students shone at the STEM Spotlight Awards—three became finalists, one of whom took the top prize along with its accompanying $20,000.
Civil Engineering student Stephen Cohos won both the Sustainability Category and the Grand Prize. His project—a modular construction system called Amoeba—is featured in this Vancouver Sun article.
“Receiving this recognition has opened up so many doors in the construction industry already,” says Stephen. “Our goal is to create the most sustainable and affordable communities in the world. If people of the Millennial generation are going to be able to afford the luxury of home ownership, there is going to have to be a housing revolution. Amoeba aims at bringing that revolution to light. I hope this award encourages more students to get involved next year, chase their dreams, and do their part to promote positive change in our communities.”
BCIT President Kathy Kinloch was on hand when Stephen received his awards.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the innovative ideas put forward by our BCIT civil engineering students,” says Kathy. “Their ability to develop solutions to the problems facing industry and our environment shows that they will graduate to affect positive change in the world.”
BCIT Students Julie Cantes and Marco Guglielmotti won the Bright Lights Future Leader Award for their submission in the Infrastructure Category.
According to the awards’ website, “The STEM Spotlight Awards shine a light on creative thinkers and problem-solvers. … This inaugural initiative is designed to draw attention to the next generation of careers that will break new ground and create positive real-world change.” It’s open to anyone between the ages of 18-28 enrolled in post-secondary. Of the 80 submissions this year, 24 came from BCIT.
The British Columbia Institute of Technology offers engineering programs from part-time certificates through to Master’s degrees.
Thanks to Marita Luk and Toni Birtwistle from the BCIT School of Construction and the Environment for help with this story.
Congratulations, Stephen, Julie, and Marco! It was a pleasure being in class with each of you, and I’m delighted to see you rewarded for your efforts. Well done!!