Faculty and staff are encouraged to share an opportunity for students to work alongside industry professionals and tackle a real-world problem from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works during Innovation Works, Nov. 6-8.
This year’s challenge, “Firewatch,” asks student teams to develop an early-response system for wildfire detection and response, addressing the critical time between first ignition and first action. While extreme wildfires account for a small percentage of total fires, they cause the majority of wildfire damage, making early detection a significant challenge for communities and emergency responders.
During the 45-hour innovation challenge, students will collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to explore solutions involving technologies such as satellites, drones, sensors, artificial intelligence, communications systems or entirely new approaches. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works engineers will mentor participants, provide feedback on team concepts and evaluate final presentations.
Students from all majors are encouraged to participate. Successful teams often include a mix of technical, business, communications and problem-solving perspectives. Participants may register with a team or sign up individually and be matched with other students.
The winning team will earn a trip to a Lockheed Martin facility to meet engineers and see their work firsthand.
Students interested in participating should register their interest at wsuinnovationworks.com. The challenge brief will be released Oct. 9, one-page team responses are due Oct. 22 and selected teams will be notified Oct. 23. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. There will be no walk-up registration on Nov. 6.
For more information, contact Jared Goering at jared.goering@wichita.edu.
