College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Construction Management Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Construction Management
Date
6-2022
Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Joseph Cleary, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Construction Management Department
Abstract/Summary
Skip the Grid is a project organized by Heart of America, a nonprofit, looking to improve the education and overall wellbeing of children and their families. Many residents within Navajo Nation do not have access to continuous power and rely on temporary generators or car battery to obtain any kind of electricity. Heart of America partnered with the Red Mesa School District to identify families that did not have power, which was impacting the children’s ability to complete their online schoolwork. This senior project was comprised of an interdisciplinary team responsible for installing a working solar system on twelve homes on the Navajo Nation Reservation. With the help of sponsors, a team of Cal Poly students successfully provided solar power to twelve homes in Navajo Nation. The solar system powers a refrigerator, lights, and a charging port for Chromebooks. This new installation will help Red Mesa students continue their education without worry of their computer running out of battery. For the first time these families will have access to a refrigerator which allows these families to now keep perishables. The project successfully integrated technology into the lives of these Navajo families without intruding upon the culture and tradition that makes Navajo Nation so special.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cmsp/591
Poster Board