Tennessee Tech Ph.D. students design renovations to Monterey’s Whitaker Park

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Tennessee Tech Ph.D. students design renovations to Monterey’s Whitaker Park

Entrance to Whitaker Park in Monterey, Tenn.
Entrance to Whitaker Park in Monterey, Tenn.

A team of three Ph.D. students at Tennessee Tech University who spent the spring semester designing renovations to improve Whitaker Park in Monterey, Tenn. as part of their food-energy-water (FEW) class project recently learned that the city’s board approved their preliminary plans.

Sahera Abumariam, chemical engineering; Michael Miner, electrical engineering; and Carey Wilson, STEM education; presented their vision to add a self-sufficient "energy park" to the space that generates its own renewable power while also providing educational opportunities for the local community. The team also envisions adding food and water components as they progress.

“We want to have a community greenhouse in the park where the community is going to be able to get together and share ideas and grow their own fruits and vegetables in the park,” Abumariam explained. “And for the water component, we want to have a water reclamation system from rainwater or the water from the bathrooms that will go through a filtration system to be used as an irrigation system.”

“This project is particularly significant to me because it intertwines two crucial elements: education and renewable energy practices,” Wilson said. “By promoting sustainable energy solutions and fostering educational opportunities, this project not only will potentially transform a central Appalachian community but also pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.” 

Miner added, "Growing up in Mt. Juliet, I have countless memories from visiting Charlie Daniels Park. I had so many great moments with friends and family at that park. I hope to bring great moments and experiences to the beautiful city of Monterey and the Upper Cumberland region through this one-of-a-kind park, helping younger generations connect to renewable energy and STEM. I believe that these core memories will inspire younger generations in rural communities to learn about and embrace renewable energy, as well as develop a love for STEM through an educational, fun and safe experience. The goal is what I believe makes this park so innovative."

The proposed park addition would feature interactive exhibits that allow visitors, especially children, to experience how renewable energy works in a hands-on way. For example, a pedal-powered water turbine that would light up as visitors ride stationary bicycles. Another example of the proposed new features is a water-powered generator that uses flowing water to spin a rotor and generate electricity. 

The students are part of the first student cohort established in 2022 by a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s National Research Traineeship Program for the project called “Engendering the Spirit of Gadugi at the Food-Energy-Water Nexus.” The project’s goal is to empower graduate students to identify and solve challenges involving food, energy and water for those in Appalachian, rural areas, and in Cherokee communities in Tennessee. 

“Gadugi is a sacred core value to the Cherokee people,” said Troy Smith, professor of history at Tech. “Loosely translated, this word means 'community,' but specifically this principle means people coming together as one and working together to help one another.”

Sabrina Buer, program coordinator, added, “As researchers guided by the spirit of Gadugi, we know that we must put the good of the group ahead of the individual and develop relationships with people in our communities to work together to both identify and find solutions to these challenges.”

The multidisciplinary student team used the Renaissance Foundry Model, an effort led by Pedro Arce, professor of chemical engineering at Tech, and his colleagues, J. Robby Sanders and Andrea Arce-Trigatti, which emphasizes critical thinking, leadership and team-based skills. They also received training in critical thinking and community-based collaborations from Buer and Ada Haynes, professor of sociology.

Following this model, Arce indicated, the students spent the semester in the extensive process of research, community surveys, proposal writing and design iterations to develop their comprehensive prototype of innovative technology with feedback from Monterey leadership. They presented their extensive plans as their final class project to a panel of Tech professors, and then later to Monterey’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen. 

In addition to an informational booklet filled with blueprints, sketches and budget numbers, the students presented the board with their desire to help beyond their class assignment, including helping to provide additional ideas for funding sources and partnerships.

 “Other student projects considered prototypes of innovative technology in Foundry-guided courses, including a compost-community garden project, sustainability efforts at the university level, and sustainable agricultural processes,” said Andrea Arce-Trigatti, one of the course co-instructors. “All student groups worked with local or programmatic community partners and were inspired by immersion experiences as part of the course.”

“For those interested in taking this, or similar classes, the NSF-NRT program offers FEW-based and cultural training courses in the Fall and Spring semesters that can be bundled in a graduate certificate for those interested in community-based partnership research,” added J. Robby Sanders, course co-instructor and interim chair of chemical engineering.

 

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