Updated 1/28/08 - Best Paper added   

Your university or college team (or teams) is invited to participate in the annual Environmental Design Contest in competition for cash awards. Your team(s) may select one or more tasks in which to compete. Your selected process(es) must be demonstrated, using a working bench-scale model at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM.

Next Contest Date: April 6-9, 2008

University Task Descriptions

Registration and Entry Fee

Application Deadline: December 7, 2007

    The entry fee for each participating university team is $595. The registration fee for one task will accommodate up to 4 team members and a faculty advisor per task.  Additional tasks for each university will require a $395 registration fee and will also accommodate up to 4 team members and a faculty advisor. The registration form must be submitted to WERC by on-line submission, fax, email or mail no later than December 7, 2007. No refunds will be given for cancellations.

    Based on previous experience with teams earning top honors in the design contest, it is recommended that your participating team consist of a combination of graduate or undergraduate students from various disciplines, including engineering, food science, technical writing, science, health, legal, business, or other related fields.

Task Deliverables

• A Safety Summary and Flow Sheet (5% of the total score) of your proposed process that includes information related to: bench-scale operation, process safety, chemicals used and waste stream emission is due via mail or fax no later than March 3, 2008.
• A Written Report (30% of total score) for each task that you are competing in is due no later than March 19, 2008
• A 15-minute Oral Presentation (25% of the total score) on your proposed design for each task will be made at the competition on April 7, 2008.
• A Bench-Scale Demonstration (30% of the total score) of your process for e. will be made at the competition on April 8, 2008.
• A Poster Presentation (10% of the total score) for each task you are competing in will be made at the same time as the bench-scale demonstration.

Bench-Scale Operating Permit and Chemicals

Bench-Scale Operating Permit
An Operating Permit will be issued  to you prior to starting your process at the contest. WERC Safety Officers will inspect each booth for the following:

1. A copy of the Safety Summary and Flow Sheet (originals due to the WERC office by March 3, 2008) .
2. Two copies of the Material Safety Data Sheets (one copy in the booth and one copy for the WERC Safety Officers) for any hazardous chemicals (as stipulated by OSHA 1910.1200 hazard communication standards) used in the bench-scale process.
3. A copy of the Participant Safety Contract signed by team members (this contract will be provided to you for signatures and should be returned to the WERC office prior to the contest).
4. A National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) placard for your chemicals.
5. A copy of the NMSU Chemical Inventory (see below).

Chemical Inventory
    The NMSU Safety Office requires that you submit, via the Internet, a complete chemical inventory for your bench-scale. You will receive submission instructions in February for the inventory and it will be due no later than March 28, 2008. You should print a copy of the inventory to include with your bench-scale information.

Cash Awards

    Award amounts are subject to change based on the number of teams participating, available funding and sponsorship. If there are less than three (3) teams competing in a task, that task may be combined into an "open category" to compete with other tasks.

• First Place Award per task $2,500
• Second Place Award per task $1,000

Other possible awards may include: Special Category Awards, Outstanding Paper Presentation, Outstanding Oral Presentation, Outstanding Poster Presentation, Outstanding Bench-Scale Presentation and others selected by the judges.

Mileage and Travel Expenses

    Mileage to each participating school: $.25 per mile (round-trip) for one vehicle to travel to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Non-USA mileage will be reimbursed using the mileage amount for the furthest reimbursed travel in the contiguous USA. Additionally, WERC will provide a travel stipend to each school based on the following distance from Las Cruces:

•  500-1500 miles: $150
•  1500 or more miles: $250

Shipping Information

    An Equipment Transportation Form describing equipment being shipped to WERC for the contest must be received via mail or fax no later than March 19, 2008.

It is recommended that you ship your equipment to Las Cruces via UPS, Federal Express, etc., to simplify transportation demands.

    Prior arrangements must be made in advance for return of equipment to your school. Since we will be receiving many shipments, you should mark your shipping containers with your school name and number of boxes (i.e. 2 of 4).

WERC/NMSU
1060 Frenger Mall, EC III, Third Floor, Suite 300
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

(800) 523-5996
fax (575) 646-5474

Due Dates

Contact Information

Roseann Thompson, Project Manager
(800) 523-5996
(575) 646-7854

Barbara Valdez, Program Facilitator
(575) 646-7821
fax (575) 646-5474