A past team trip to Honduras.

A group of students from Missouri University of Science and Technology’s student chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) will travel to Santiago, Honduras, to continue its multi-year project to provide the town with fresh drinking water. The group will be in Honduras May 15-23.

Last summer, the team complete the chlorination of Santiago’s municipal water system. This year, the team will monitor its effectiveness by collecting public health data and conducting testing on the water inside homes in the town. The students will also add connections in the water distribution system to improve its reliability, accurately map out the local area and give health presentations to local schools.

“The health presentations are to ensure that kids and teachers know the importance of hand washing and food safety and general hygiene,” says Kortnee Long, the EWB-Honduras team leader. “The team always makes sure to meet with community leaders to get their feedback and thoughts on our projects and what they would like to see the team do.”

Dr. Christi Luks, associate teaching professor of chemical and biochemical engineering at Missouri S&T, will travel with the team as the trip’s advisor. Professional engineer Steve Hubbs, of Louisville, Kentucky, will travel with the team as a volunteer.

The following Missouri S&T students will represent EWB in Honduras:

— Lauren Ernat, a junior in chemical engineering from Hamilton, Missouri

— Evan Haley, a senior in mechanical engineering and engineering management from Springfield, Missouri

— Kortnee Long, a sophomore in engineering management from West Plains, Missouri

— Luis Pereira, a senior in computer science from Sedalia, Missouri.