(The 2015 PATW Americas Regional Finals in Trinidad & Tobago)
After months of intense competitions, participation of Local Networks througout the Americas Region, all culminating with the winner and runner-up of the 2015 PATW Americas Regional Final.
Dr. Kevin Murray awards the winner and runner-up with their certificates.
(Robert Mayall will represent the Americas Region at the Global Finals in London)
(Runner up, Travis Schoepp)
(Competitors pose with members of the CC-A)
Marriott's HSE representative conducts the safety briefing before the start the event, a key component in any event.
(Vice Chair of the TT LN and the MC for the morning period, David Drakes, with the HSE representative)
The competitors remain focused as they discuss and plan their presentations.
David Drakes, officially opens the event, the first time that the Americas Regional Finals is being held in the Caribbean.
(Anarion Mason, Treasurer of the TT LN YPS, volunteers to record the key moments of the opening)
(Chair of the TT LN, Anthony Chadee, provides the welcome address to the audience)
The guest speaker, Denis Singh, who is also one of the three local IPRAs and a longstanding fellow of the IET as well as the past IEE Eastern Caribbean Representative, engaged the audience of young and experienced engineering professionals with the importance of engineering and technology in industry and society.
(Chair of the CC-A, Andrew Noble, presents Denis Singh with a token of appreciation)
(Andrew Noble addresses the audience and welcomes the audience, on behalf of the CC-A_
The CC-A recognised the effort, by Gregory Duggan, Anthony Chadee and Jennifer Maraj, in the planning and execution of the event.
Gregory Duggan, 2015 PATW Americas Regional Final co-ordinator, introduces the judges, Julian Harvey, Emily Hicks, Danielle Antonellis and Anthony Chadee.
(Judges table: Anthony Chadee, Danielle Antonellis and Julian Harvey)
(Judges table: Anthony Chadee, Emily Hicks and Julian Harvey)
Emma Houiellebecq, the first competitor, presented on "The Case for the Global Engineer"
Emma represented the Vancouver Local Network.
Emma provided a clear, evidence based and passionate rationale for the need of global engineers, to aid in the improvement of various societies around the world.
Her personal experience, as a global engineer, was key to the presentation and highlighted the "real world" and tangible effects that one person can have.
Emma also noted that a global engineer needs to be involved in more than design and calculations and she cited her participation in community and stakeholder engagements as a pre-requisite for ensuring the success completion of the project.
(Emma addresses the questions raised during the Q&A section of the presentation)
The second competitor, Michael DeMarco, presented the topic "Improving Two-Stage Hip Revision Anthroplasties using 3-D scanning".
Michael represented the New England Local Network.
Michael provided a clear overview of the existing technology as well as the key processes involved and noted the limitations that his proposal will solve.
Michael proved the point that customisable disposable moulds would save time and money, as compared to the existing technique.
(Michael during the Q&A segment)
(David provides key "fun" facts about Trinidad and Tobago, during the break)
Harry Jones, representing the NoCal Local Network, was the third presenter.
Harry focused on "Human Computer Interaction" and credited his experience with the train station console, in the UK, for the inspiration.
Harry noted the need to be able to capture the "enormous" amount of data provided by human responses, as a means of accurately detecting and thus predicting the actual "human response" and to correlate it to the specific thought.
(The limitations of the use of the eye as an input device was highlighted)
(He aptly concluded referncing a potential improvement and its impact on his quality of life)
Robert Mayall, representing the Calgary Local Network, provided a presentation on his work on the development of a unique biochemical sensor, as a means of detecting infectious diseases before they overwhelm the body's immune system.
(Ebola was used as a main example for the need of the technology)
(Robert linked the delay in identification of the pathogen, to the increase of antibiotic resistant bacteria and viruses)
The idea was to "mimic" the body's own immune response as a mechanism to target and identify the unknown pathogen.
(The focus was on detecting gram-negative bacteria)
Robert illustrated the "proof of concept" results with the detection of Salmonella at varying concentrations, as well as the virtual non-responsiveness of the sensor to gram-positive and viruses.
(Robert's Q&A segment)
Travis Schoepp, who represented the Edmonton Local Network, focused his presentation on the need for an alternate mechanism for generating power.
(Travis highlights the case for nuclear fusion)
Travis introduced the use of lasers as a precursor to starting the nuclear fusion reaction.
Kavya Divakaria, represented the Toronto Local Network and her presentation focused upon the issues of road safety and its improvement with the increased use of autonomous vechicles and thier usage of journey mapping.
(Kavya clearly explained the fundamental components required for a solution)
The implementation and widescale adoption of the technology was clearly outlined in the advantages, however the disadvantages demonstrated that there was need for further development, cost reduction and "buy-in" by key stakeholders.
(Kavya provided a clear conclusion for the improved road safety system)
(Lauren Lemieux provided a passionate and informative rationale for the Z06 engine)
Lauren represented the Detroit Local Network.
(The details of the most powerful production engine ever developed by GM)
Lauren described the Corvette Museum "Build your own engine experience" and how it impacted upon customer satisfaction and incresed knowledge about their own corvette. She highlighted the process work flow, auotmated systems that provide error checks to ensure quality and safety and sheer joy experienced in the event.
David receives a token of appreciation from Andrew Noble.
Colin Chase, YP Co-ordinator and MC for the afternoon period, continued David's trend of delighting the audience with questions about Trinidad & Tobago culture.
(Eager to answer the "pop quiz" questions)
Tiffanie Bhagwandeen, represented the Trinidad & Tobago Local Network and provided a presentation on the benefits of using set-up time reduction, for the local industry.
(Tiffanie outlines the case study of the battery plant in Trinidad)
(The SMED approach was key to achieving the benefits from set-up time reduction)
(Tiffanie introduced the concept of 5S as a fundamental aspect of ensuring reduction in the set-up)
(Tiffanie answers questions during the Q&A)
Adam Vigneron, representing the Ottawa Local Network, provided an in-depth presentation into the requirements and needs of on-orbit servicing.
(Adam outlined the design requirements of the autonomous vehicle, in order to effectively function in orbit)
(Adam highlighted the need for standards to ensure that system components can interface with each other, during the Q&A segment)
Adrian Rodriguez, who represented the SoCal Local Network and provided a novel approach to the bicycle chainring design to improve performance.
(Adrian recognises the inspiration for his design)
Adrian highlights that change is inevitable and demonstrates the development of the cycle as well as the areas that have not been subject to a fundamental improvement over time.
(The variation in the exerted force as the pedal turns)
(Adrian introduces the benefits of the new design)
The development of the new design for the chainring, based upon his equation.
(Adrian notes that the design can be customised for a specific range of riders, based upon key characteristics, to improve performance)
(Adrian during the Q&A segment)
The completion of the PATW competitors' presentations and the judges withdraw to deliberate.
Faheema Baksh, Secretary of the TT LN YPS and 2014 PATW Americas Regional Final winner, together with Greg Manohar, Chair of the TT LN YPS, provide an insightful and passionate account of Faheema's experience competing in London.
(Faheema notes the fears that participants experience during the event)
(Greg provides an overview of the history of the YPS and their various activities)
(Dr. Kevin Murray awards Faheema with a token of appreciation)
(Greg receives a token of appreciation from Dr. Murray)
(Dr. Soren Maloney provides insight into the IET's various bodies and how they interact to enable volunteers to function)
(Emily Hicks and Danielle Antonellis provide a compelling and passionate account of their volunteer experiences with the IET and how it has impacted their lives for the better)
Ahmad Mohammed, TT LN PATW Co-ordinator, awards tokens of appreciation to Emily and Danielle.
I was honoured to have been asked to present my personal account of the benefits of volunteering with the IET and how it has impacted my life. My focus was to excite and encourage the participants and illustrate the various accomplishments that they could become a part of within their own local networks. At the end of my presentation, each competitor was given an IET Volunteer "Time to Make a Difference" handbook as well as the IET's CPD handbook, to reinforce the point that volunteering is a part of professional development.
(Greg Duggan awards Anthony Chadee with a token of appreciation)
(Colin receives a token of appreciation from Julian Harvey)
(Julian Harvey announces the two finalists and provides instrumental feedback to the participants)
(Greg Duggan conducts the open forum session of the event)
Sean Ocho, Treasurer of the TT LN, concluded the afternoon session with a heartfelt and emphatic vote of thanks.
Networking always plays a key part in IET activities.
(Soren, K.O. and I are deep in discussions)
Not all solutions require a complex and technical approach....
(Finalists Robert and Travis decide who will present first in the final round of the competition)
Gerald Mendes, IPRA and Fellow of the IET, conducts the evening activities as MC.
(Judges for the finalists: Dr. Murrray, K.O. Lee and Dr. Maloney)
(Travis is the first presenter in the final round)
Audience is excited and intrigued about the final two presentations.
The final presentation of the 2015 Americas Regional Final.
(Robert is the final presenter of the night and the competition)
At the end of the night we all gather together for dinner....competitors no longer...just an IET family sharing a meal...
(A gentlemanly handshake moments before the announcement of the winner of the event)
The president of APETT, Neil Dookie, was the guest speaker for the evening session and spoke about the developments of engineering professions and expressed an interest in the collaboration between APETT and the IET.
(Andrew Noble presents Neil Dookie with a token of appreciation)
The awarding of certificates to the PATW participants.
Ahmad Mohammed concludes the 2015 PATW Americas Regional Final event in Trinidad & Tobago, with key insights about the excellence of the engineering students, their presentation styles as well as their involvement in the myriad of projects that will develop the industry for the future.
Candid shots of the audience during the event.
(The 10 competitors who inspired, informed and influenced us during the event)
Special thanks to our administrative assistant, Jennifer Maraj, for contributing and volunteering to make this event successful.
This event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the CC-A and the Trinidad & Tobago Local Network. Members were thanked for their service.
(Andrew Charnley, who provided guidance and training for the Trinidad & Tobago participants as well as serving as a judge during the local PATW event, hands out tokens of appreciation)
Andrew is thanked by Julian Harvey, for his contribution to the development of engineers and the PATW events.
(David thanks Jenny Yu for her contribution)
(David thanks Julian Harvey for his contribution)
(David thanks Dr. Kevin Murray for his contribution)
(David thanks K.O. Lee for his contribution)
(David thanks Sean Ocho for his contribution)
(Anthony thanks Ahmad Mohammed for his contribution)
(Anthony thanks Anarion Mason for his contribution)
(Anthony thanks Gerald Mendes for his contribution)
(Anthony thanks Andrew Noble for his contribution)
The day before the event, members of our local network ensured that the venue was prepared for the following day's competition.
(Anthony with Greg and Ahmad)
(Final tweaks and verification of the video quality)
A few competitors took the opportunity to visit and gauge the room to get a feel for the momentus event.
(Ahmad chats wtih Lauren)
(Anthony with a few competitors as well as K.O. Lee and Ahmad)
On behalf of the Trinidad & Tobago Local Network, we thank everyone who was involved in the 2015 PATW Americas Regional Finals, for a successful event.
