The EPICS-in-IEEE initiative facilitates collaboration between university and high school students to work on engineering projects that benefit local non-profit organizations, enhancing community service and education. Launched in 2007, it aims to empower students, particularly underrepresented groups, to pursue engineering careers while addressing real-world challenges through technology. Since its inception, the program has funded 28 projects across 11 countries, engaging numerous volunteers and impacting communities worldwide.

1. EPICS-in-IEEE
Presentation at EPICS-IEEE
Workshop in Hyderabad, India
Kapil Dandekar (co-leader)
Saurabh Sinha (co-leader)
Prasanna Venkatesan
Nana-Ampofo Ampofo-Anti
Maciej Borowka
Supavadee Aramvith
www.ieee.org/go/epics-high

2. EPICS-in-IEEE – Humanitarian
and Education Initiative
Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS)
– Organizes university and high-school students to
work on engineering-related projects for local area
non-profit organizations.
– Conceived and championed by IEEE 2007 President
Leah Jamieson, Purdue University.
EPICS-in-IEEE - New Social Innovation Programme
– Empowers student branches and IEEE GOLD
groups to work with high school students on
community service-related engineering projects
2 4-Dec-12

3. EPICS-in-IEEE Team
Kapil Dandekar (USA)
Saurabh Sinha (South Africa)
Prasanna Venkatesan (India)
Nana-Ampofo Ampofo-Anti (South Africa)
Maciej Borowka (Poland)
Supavadee Aramvith (Thailand)
Team mailing list address: epics-high@ieee.org
3 4-Dec-12

4. About the Initiative
The Need:
– Community service organizations need help
from people with technical backgrounds to leverage
technology to deliver the services they provide.
– There is a need to emphasize the role of
community service to students in IEEE’s fields
of technical interest.
Supports IEEE Strategic Goals
– Profession: Education
– Public: Image of IEEE and the Profession
– Organization: Members and Volunteers
– Organization: IEEE the Association
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5. 5 4-Dec-12

6. IEEE/IRE History
IRE’s formation
– Titanic
– Radio technology
6 4-Dec-12

7. EPICS-in-IEEE – Engineering Social
Innovation through University and Pre-
University Education
Non-govt./Non-  University
 profit student
organization(s) branch(es)
The World Association of
Non-Governmental
Organizations (WANGO)
Community  Secondary
Partner/ School
“Recipient” External
Partner(s)
Sponsor(s)
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8. Life without engineers? (1)
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9. Life without engineers? (2)
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10. Be The Change You Want to See
in the World
- M.K. Gandhi
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11. Principal Outcomes of EPICS-in-
IEEE
Establish a relationship between the student
branches in each of the participating Sections, a
local high school (or schools), and non-profit or
humanitarian organizations in each venue.
– Focused on development of devices and systems for
the benefit of the target audiences of the non-profit
community partners.
Develop training resources to train local
section champions on EPICS and service learning.
These section champions, and the volunteers they
train, will be empowered to disseminate the
model further – locally and to other Sections.
11 4-Dec-12

12. Objectives of EPICS-in-IEEE
Increase high school student interest in
pursuing an engineering-related career path
Leverage the EPICS program demonstrated
ability to reach female and under-represented
students
Increase the reputation of IEEE in the public
Accentuate IEEE’s transnational nature by
conducting the effort over IEEE Sections all over
the world
12 4-Dec-12

13. Initiative Progress
Since 2009, 28 projects received funding
– exceeded target number of awarded projects each year
Involving over 95 volunteers with 140 University
Students and 265 (29 % female) pre-university
students impacting thousands in communities around
the world
Technical solutions addressing
– Human services (4 projects)
– Access and abilities (3 projects)
– Education and outreach (9 projects)
– Environment (10 projects)
Papers presented at the 2011 IEEE Global
Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)
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14. EPICS-in-IEEE around the world
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15. EPICS Around the World
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16. Making a Difference Around the World –
One Project at a Time
# OF PROJECTS
Argentina 3
Belgium 1
India 6
28 PROJECTS IN
Namibia 1 11 COUNTRIES
Nigeria 1 (regions 2, 8, 9 & 10)
South Africa 5
Uganda 2
United States 4
Uruguay 2
Zambia 2
Zimbabwe 1
16 12/4/2012

17. Drexel University SB (Philadelphia Section,
USA) –Clean Air Council
Philadelphia Section in partnership with the
Philadelphia Clean Air Council and Science
Leadership Academy developed an air quality
sensor network for monitoring residential areas
in South Philadelphia.
These sensors determine air quality in various
Philadelphia neighborhoods to provide “first
screening” for EPA standards.
Student groups: designed and manufactured
wireless interface & sensor, deployed
materials through city, designed algorithm to
map sensor network, evaluated effects and
sensitivity of weather conditions on sensors
18 university and 65 high schools
17 4-Dec-12 students involved

18. University of Cape Town (South Africa Section,
South Africa) - Western Cape Breeze
The University of Cape Town Student
Branch developed a wind power
turbine out of scrap material which
was able to deliver 50 W of power.
Wind turbine with potential to be
used as lighting for the school or for
a mobile clinic.
Over 7 sessions, secondary school
students met to learn about
renewable energy and to construct
the wind turbine. Students learned
importance of design and
environmental impact. 7 university and 10 (4 female) high
18 4-Dec-12
schools students involved

19. University of Cape Town SB - Oaklands
School Computer Lab Renewable Energy
Audit and Alternative Energy Installation
UCT Student Branch was given
20 PCs from the UCT
Engineering and Built
Environment faculty.
PCs are 3-4 years old but
received technological upgrades
and installed in Oaklands High
School.
Students learned how to assess
energy consumption and 6 vols, 8 university and 11 (4 female)
conduct energy audits, and high schools students involved
learn about environmental
impacts.
19 4-Dec-12

20. Hybrid Renewable Energy Supply
for Oaklands High School PC Lab
– Outcomes
Scope changes due to construction
work led to division of project into
Phase A and B
Phase A was completed in 2010 –
installation of power supply and
construction of models
Phase B was completed in 2011 –
donation of PC’s for new lab [1]
Applied lessons learnt from 2009 pilot
project
– Team Structure
– Early Planning
– Careful partner and school selection
[1] D. Oyedokun, N-A. Ampofo-Anti, S. Sinha, “Hybrid
– Relied on existing network of contacts Renewable Energy Used to Power Computer Laboratory:
within University A Project by University of Cape Town IEEE Student
Branch,” Proceedings: IEEE Global Humanitarian
20 12/4/2012 Technology Conference (GHTC), 30 Oct. - 1 Nov. 2011,
Seattle, pp. 131 - 136.

21. 21 4-Dec-12

22. Kyambogo University (Uganda) - Poverty
Reduction And Environmental Conservation
Through Solar Powered Solutions
Students translate their theoretical
knowledge in engineering into skills to
develop clean technologies which will
reduce the use of fossil oil, lamps
stoves, and wood-fuel (used by 90 % of
Ugandans) to sustain a clean environment.
Students from Kyambogo University
worked with students at Agha Khan High
School to create a solar powered phone
charger with solar charging controllers
designed and built for low-income
communities.
22 4-Dec-12

23. Solar Water Geyser Modelling
and Installation at Children’s
Home - Overview
2011/12 UCT Project yielded a fully
functional solar water geyser model
Emasithandane Children’s Home in
Nyanga did not have a functioning
geyser
2 High Schools participated including
students staying at the home
High School Learner Roles: Design
and Construct model 25 L geyser
NGO Partners: Crossing Borders,
Emasithandane Children’s Home
Raised over $50,000 funding from
Crossing Borders, Stuttgart and local
firms: MLT, Hills Solar, Eskom,
Solaire Direct
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24. Solar Water Geyser Modelling
and Installation at Children’s
Home – Technical & Outcomes
High School learners
built a 1 kW array of
solar panels from solar
cells and a 25 litres solar
water geyser
Project team visited one
of the largest PV model
manufacturing company
in the Southern
Hemisphere, Solaire
Direct technologies
24 12/4/2012

25. Microsensors for Air Quality
Observations - Overview
Postgraduate students – Compose and test Hypothesis encompassing broader issues
relating to ambient air-quality microsensors for smart Earth Observations.
Undergraduate Students
– As part of one-experiment to investigate sensitive silicon (Si) chips towards measuring a
priority air-quality pollutant.
– To propose an integration of such a Si chip for a portable device, ideally coupled with a GSM
transceiver.
St Alban’s College learners
– To construct a board-level design, including a conventional off-the-shelf air-quality sensor,
and replicate (x 3) the boards; designating such a board as a “wireless node.”
– The board-level development will be analogous to works done at Drexel [1]; it will further be
complementary (as a “quick solution”) to the works being done by the “partner”
undergraduate EPR400/2 students (Univ. of Pretoria, South Africa).
– Two student groups will repeat the work using two different sensors (measuring the same
pollutant criteria – to compare results).
– Design and developed kits to also serve as an educational or teaching kit for improving the
public understanding of air-quality.
[2] K. Dandekar, S. Sinha and N-A. Ampofo-Anti, “IEEE-Based Implementation of Engineering Projects in
Community Service,” Proceedings: IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), 30 Oct. -
1 Nov. 2011, Seattle, pp. 481 - 486.
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26. Microsensors for Air Quality
Observations – Partners
Work with the National Science and
Technology Forum
– Promote IEEE activities generally in areas
where the IEEE “flag” or brand is less known.
– Improve the public visibility of Electrical,
Electronic & Computer Engineers, Univ. of
Pretoria
– Take forward designed “educational kits”
towards teaching of basic microsensor
applications at secondary schools in previously
disadvantaged areas
– Assist in seeking future funding partners for
EPICS-in-IEEE (South Africa)
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27. Call for Proposals
Through this initiative, EA will provide funding
support for approved projects in IEEE's fields of
interest which address one or more areas:
– Education: Pre-university schools, museums, adult
learning programs, after school programs
– Access and abilities: adaptive services, clinics for
children with disabilities, programs for adults with
disabilities, assistive technology
– Human services: homelessness prevention,
affordable housing, family and children agencies,
neighborhood revitalization, local government
– Environment: environmental organizations,
neighborhood associations, parks & recreation
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28. Proposals Tips
Project proposal must be championed by an IEEE
Section student branch or GOLD group
Non profit humanitarian organization needs to
be identified who will provide a relevant
engineering project that the team can undertake in
one or more of the EPICS core areas
Pre-university students also need to be
mentored by the team on project related activities
so that they can learn more about engineering and
engineering design
Proposal form can be downloaded from:
www.ieee.org/education_careers/education/preuniver
sity/EPICSApplication.html
28 4-Dec-12

29. Example: UCT IEEE SB Structure
Student Branch
Technical
Standing
Chapters+
Committees
Affinity groups
Communication Project
PES WiE Publicity Membership Finance
Society Committee
EPICS-High CLAP REL
There is good synergy between the projects committee, technical chapters and WiE
CLAP- Computer Literacy for Academic Purpose
REL- Renewable Energy Literacy
WiE- Women in Engineering
29

30. Example: Financial summary (1)
Revenue Sources
Revenue Source Source percentage of total revenue
IEEE 18.34% R 64 972.80 $9 554.82
Solaire Direct 28.20% R 99 891.00 $14 689.85
MLT 5.65% R 20 000.00 $2 941.18
Hills Solar 2.54% R9 000.00 $1 323.53
old PC sales 8.47% R 30 000.00 $4 411.76
Dept of EE, UCT 1.41% R5 000.00 $735.29
Eskom 4.23% R 15 000.00 $2 205.88
Eskom Rebate 3.16% R 11 209.00 $1 648.38
Crossing border 25.40% R 90 000.00 $13 235.29
Crossing Border donation 2.60% R9 200.00 $1 352.94
R 354 272.80 $52 098.94
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31. Example: Financial summary (2)
IEEE and External Funding
18%
IEEE Funding
External Funding
82%
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32. EPICS Summary
Through development of an EPICS model, IEEE
will strengthen its position as a leader in pre-
university student education and recruitment,
while performing a public service to community-
based non-profit organizations
www.ieee.org/go/epics-high
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33. IEEE
Not a member?
– Please join: www.ieee.org/join
33 4-Dec-12

34. Contact
Prof. Saurabh Sinha, SMIEEE, Pr Eng
Group Head: Electronics & Microelectronics
Dept.: Electrical, Electronic & Computer Eng.
University of Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: +27 12 420 2950
Fax: +27 12 362 5115
E-mail: ssinha@ieee.org
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37. 28 Projects in 11 Countries (1)
Year Country Project Title
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
2011 Argentina (WEEE) Recycling Program
2011 Argentina IP telephony system implementation
Design, development and construction of
modular educational kits for teaching electronics
in high school level for public schools in the
2011 Argentina Province of Cordoba
Construction of solar cells to meet basic needs of
2010 Belgium Bagaya, Senegal
2011 India Video learning for rural schools
Humanitarian computing local solutions for the
2011 India visually impaired
37 12/4/2012

38. 28 Projects in 11 Countries (2)
Year Country Project Title
Device to assist spastic children with
2010 India communication
2010 India Synchronous traffic control system
2011 India Green cart
Device to assist communication of disabled based
2011 India on hand gesture recognition
2010 Namibia Mobile science lab for high school In rural area
Image processing approach to the modeling and
2011 Nigeria design of an intelligent traffic control system
South
2011 Africa Air-quality microsensors for earth observations
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39. 28 Projects in 11 Countries (3)
Year Country Project Title
South
2009 Africa Western Cape breeze
South Computer lab renewable energy audit and
2010 Africa alternative energy installation
South Photovoltaic powered study lamp incorporating
2010 Africa an AM/FM radio and mobile phone charger
South Modeling and installation of a solar water geyser
2011 Africa at Emasithandane children's home in Nyanga
Poverty reduction and environmental
2010 Uganda conservation through solar powered solutions
Developing, producing and deploying lightning
2012 Uganda arrestors to curb lightning
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40. 28 Projects in 11 Countries (4)
Year Country Project Title
2010 Uruguay Pro E-Scientia – language translation
Elementary energy – Electrical energy to rural
2010 Uruguay elementary school
2009 USA Clean air council – air quality monitoring
Wind-powered electrical supply for humanitarian
2011 USA field operations
Renewable energy for sustainable development
2011 USA laboratory
2011 USA Air quality monitoring of Marcellus Shale drilling sites
OpenBTS (Open Base Transceiver Station)
2010 Zambia implementation In Chikankata
2010 Zambia Digital teaching units
On-Line monitoring of lightning incidence and
40 2010 Zimbabwe
12/4/2012 severity in rural Zimbabwe