Engineering, Water, and Trees: ONU’s Capstone Team at Las Casas
From August 27–30, 2026, we welcomed to Las Casas de la Selva a team of Mechanical Engineering students from Ohio Northern University: Ashley Baker, Ava Long, Sara Throop, and Maddie Whitewolf. (Morgan Moeller, who could not attend because of a sports conflict, is also a member of the Capstone team).They were accompanied by faculty professor, Dr. Wami Ogunbi, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at ONU and the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Robotics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
The purpose of this first visit was exploration. We wanted the students to see enough, ask enough questions, and take enough photographs to begin identifying potential Capstone projects.We started with brainstorming and a close examination of the systems supporting the project homestead: electricity, water, fuel, drainage, and other essential infrastructure. It was interesting for me to discuss these systems with a group of young engineers. It is easy to continue doing things as they have always been done simply because we are accustomed to them—even when they are no longer efficient. Fresh eyes ask different questions.
We walked the forest road while discussing the history of the sustainable forestry project and the work underway today; we examined the broken bridge/ford, understanding the impacts caused by Hurricanes Maria and Fiona. Maria damaged, and Fiona tore the ford away from the riverbank and triggered landslides along the road leading to it.
NOT COMPLETE, PLEASE RETURN LATER