1. Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) at Arizona State University is proposing projects in Chile to address social challenges through student teamwork. 2. EPICS would partner with local universities and organizations in Chile, such as Universidad Catolica and Hogar de Cristo, to design and implement projects benefitting marginalized groups. 3. Initial projects would involve remote collaboration between ASU and Chilean students, with potential future projects through an ASU study abroad program in Chile or with Arizona high school students visiting Chile.

1. May 26, 2011
It whom it may concern:
Dr. Adriana Sanford serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the Engineering Projects in Community
Service (EPICS) program at Arizona State University (ASU). Founded at Purdue University in 1995, EPICS
currently operates a network of over 20 top American universities. EPICS at ASU is a national award-
winning social entrepreneurship program designed to provide real world opportunities for
undergraduate students - working together on teams - to make a difference and change their world.
EPICS Projects focus on the technology, computing, and sustainability needs of a not-for profit
community partner which includes charitable organizations, NGOs, schools and governmental units.
EPICS GOLD projects are performed without charge for these organizations. EPICS GOLD classes promote
innovation and hands-on learning. Students from all engineering, computer science and construction
disciplines as well as all other majors, including sustainability, communication, business and others work
together in trans-disciplinary teams to help the world.
Most EPICS projects last at least one year, though partnership with the not-for-profit community
organization may continue indefinitely. Projects are intended to solve real problems, and span the
complete design process cycle (problem identification - specification development - conceptual design -
detailed design - production - service/maintenance - sustainability - retirement). Each EPICS GOLD Team
has a faculty mentor, and often a community or corporate mentor who provides additional expertise
and guidance to individual students and teams. Teams are composed of freshmen through seniors.
Projects are currently underway in several parts of the world, but none take place in South America. We
have strategically selected Chile as the first country where we will do EPICS projects, due to the
excellent potential for successful partnerships. These partnerships would include a local Chilean
university, and the Chilean organization Hogar de Cristo. As you may know, Hogar de Cristo provides
assistance to the marginal poor, particularly the elderly, the homeless, the terminally ill patients, and
abandoned children and youth.
The 8.8 Richter scale earthquake that struck on February 27th
, 2010 in south-central Chile (7th & 8th
regions) killed hundreds of people and caused enormous damage, especially in the coastline fishing
communities. Nearly 150 aftershocks were recorded, including thirteen above magnitude 6.0. with
successive tidal waves or tsunamis.
Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) at ASU
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
PO Box 875506, Tempe AZ 85287-5506
Phone: (480) 965-0903 E-mail: filley@asu.edu

2. The opportunity exists to use student teams to address social challenges and issues in Chile in three
ways:
1. With ASU EPICS GOLD student teams formed as a part of regular EPICS GOLD classes at ASU in
the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters. The projects would be done remotely from the U.S.,
perhaps in conjunction with students from Universidad Catolica. It is anticipated that 4 – 6
student teams of 4-5 students would participate along with a faculty, corporate and community
partner for each team.
2. With two ASU EPICS GOLD classes taught in Chile as a part of an ASU Study Abroad visit taking
place during a four week period in May – June, 2012. It is anticipated that 10-20 students
would participate, along with Dr. Sanford and two ASU faculty members.
3. If the above efforts are successful, with EPICS partner high schools in Arizona (such as Xavier
College Preparatory High School) making a shorter week-long study visit timed to coincide with
the EPICS GOLD Study Abroad trip mentioned above. It is anticipated that 10 students and 2-3
parent chaperones would participate. EPICS at ASU has partnered with Intel to provide
scholarships for top high school students to take an EPICS class.
Team interaction is an integral element for project success. Students are encouraged to participate in
the EPICS GOLD classes for multiple semesters throughout their undergraduate career at ASU. This
means that we are looking for long term partnerships as we create relationships with Chilean
organizations.
Dr. Sanford is an alumna of ASU and we are pleased to have her volunteering her international expertise
to our program and her willingness to serve as a mentor to our students. She an experienced global
professional who will help us reach out to the less fortunate in South America, and more immediately in
Chile. EPICS at ASU creates ideas and designs that make a difference, solutions that change the world.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Richard D. Filley
Director, EPICS at ASU