The Peter Kiewit Institute

Team Leader
Catherine Schumacher

Mentors
Lucas Billesbach, JEO Consulting Firm
Rick Edgerton, JEO Consulting Firm

Project: Tim Ohrt Park Revitalization

In the heart of Bennington is Tim Ohrt Park. This once beautiful greenspace has turned into a seldom-used park. This park is not used because there is not any playground equipment for the children, no walking trails, gardens and there are no restroom facilities. We propose to undertake a revitalization project for this park. We compiled a survey to see if the community would support such a project. The opinion is that the community would be supportive of a park that emphasizes sports and playground equipment for young children. Other Activities: . Surveyed community members for their opinion on this project . Toured JEO Consulting Group . Obtained plans for sewer, water and park boundaries . Obtained legal description and established property ownership

 

Team Leader
Mrs. Sheila McCauley
Mrs. Kari Nathan

Mentors
Mr. Bruce McCauley, Offutt Air Force Base
Mr. Michael Huffstetler, Leo A. Daly

Project: Going GREEN at School

How can we as 7th and 8th grade students help improve the world in which we live? We can begin by looking at a building where we spend most of our time: our school. Our school was built in 1962 and needs to be upgraded to be more energy efficient and help reduce the energy costs. We will start by examining our recycling policy, designing a vegetative roof, analyzing water conservation methods and energy efficiency. Using LEED standards as our guidelines, we will create a plan for our school to become “green”. We plan to do everything we can to keep our earth healthy and our school a great place to learn.

   

Team Leader
Margaret Alexander
Anthony Reisdorff
Steve Williams

Mentors
Lynn Tungland, Bechtel-S
Donna Kohlan, Farris Engineering
Stephen Smith, Kenneth Hahn Architects, Inc.

Project: Remaking the LVJH Cafeteria

The La Vista Jr. High School (LVJH) enginneering team would like to propose an addition and renovation of the current cafeteria. The cafeteria is not designed to handle the number of students eating during a lunch period; consequently, the cafeteria is crowded and loud. After eating their lunch, the students are forced to leave the cafeteria and sit in a hallway when the same sitting area is already filled to capacity. There is limited supervision and safety hazards involved in this situation. The cafeteria is used for study halls, wrestling practice, and small chorus and band performances. We would like to renovate this area to serve all these purposes and add a stage which LVJH does not currently have.

     

Team Leader
Karen Ramaeker

Mentors
Sharon Miller, City of Omaha Public Works
Dan Kammerer, HDR, Inc.

Project: Streetcar Transportation System

The Marrs 2008 SIMP project is to provide an alternative public transportation system by revitalizing the idea of using streetcars in the Omaha metro area. We will look primarily at the downtown area.

   

Team Leader
James Mayberger
Elizabeth Figeroa

Mentors
Kathleen J Englert, US Army Corps of Engineers
Scott Gatewood, P.E., DLR Group

Project: Robo-Cop Security

Our project is the Bennington Bridge and Trail Connector. The bridge would provide a shorter pedestrian and bike route to the Junior-Senior High School from the Bennington Park residential area. This bridge would also benefit community members as well as students by providing easier access to the soccer and baseball fields. This project would be an attractive addition to our community.

   

Team Leader
James Mayberger
Liz Figeroa

Mentors
Brett Hraban, Lozier Corporation
Kevin Damme, Lozier Corporation

Project: Simple Slug Shoot

Our project will be partnering with the Lozier Company. We are attempting to improve the efficiency and automation of the plant with conveyor belts. Currently what happens is a machine punches a hole in to a part for the shelves. The piece that is punched is called a slug. The slug falls into a bin. The bin is later emptied by an employee with a forklift. Our idea is to use a system of straight conveyor belts, with edges, to send the slug to a recycling bin just for metal. This will be cost efficient and give the employee more time to complete other tasks throughout the plant.

 

Team Leader
Dawn Ferreyra

Mentors
Curt Betts, US Army Corps of Engineers
Jason Heinze, The Schemmer Associates

Project: The Panther Pit

The students of Morton Magnet Middle School need a safe environment to study and converge. We also need space for extra curricular activities and a center to purchase school apparel and supplies. Our proposed solution is to build an addition for our school to fit these needs. Our addition will include a bookstore, lounge area, restrooms, conference center and outdoor learning garden.

   

Team Leader
Mr.Smith

Mentors
Michael Baldino, P:E, Kelly Klosure Systems
Nino Franco, Retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Project: Iraq/Ahgan War Memorial

It is our belief that the soldiers in Iraq deserve a memorial so we took the liberty to make one for them. They need this because they have served our country with honor, discipline, and courage. It is this reason that we have been working so hard to give it to them. It will be serenity and tranquility. We hope that the light of heaven will continue to shine on the soldiers.

   

Team Leader
Terry M. Weare
Kelly Witt

Mentors
Patrick Kastl, TranSystems
Sarah Nieves, Schnackel Engineers

Project: The Panther Den

The Panther Den is in the heart of the school, but there are many possibilities of what we could do with this vacant area. This space has been vacant for years, and it is now waiting to be enjoyed. We propose to add more spunk to this desolate area.

   

Team Leader
Anna Sumner
David Shabram

Mentors
Joseph Shields, HDR, Inc.
Alissa Piere, Carlson West Povondra Architects

Project: O! CSO

Hundreds of cities in the United States have to deal with sewage in their basements and pollution in their rivers. Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) is a problem that impacts the environment in a negative way by contaminating runoff water with sewage. This contamination raises concerns for water recreation, aesthetics, and aquatic habitats in affected areas. Combined city sewers in Omaha, Nebraska overflow on average more than 50 times a year. When it rains more than one tenth of an inch, the rain and sewage then overflows into the Papio Creek and Missouri River. Our plan is to find a solution for CSO that meets with regulatory compliance, economic affordability, and community acceptance. We will focus on green solutions and sustainability.