Since its inception, CSUF’s annual “Engineering Social Justice: A Design Challenge” has evolved from a competition to become an annual call to action, driving engineering students to think beyond traditional problem-solving and harness their skills to tackle significant societal issues.
Held most recently on March 20, 2024, in the Titan Student Union, the competition delved into pressing matters such as the mental well-being of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, women’s safety in educational environments, and the imperative for accessible education.
Supported generously by the $40 million Scott-Jewett Fund for Student Success and Innovation grant, and sponsored by Southern California Edison, the event highlights CSUF’s commitment to projects that blend social justice with academic and professional development. Faculty coordinators noted the transformative impact of involving students in such projects early in their university journeys, as first- and second-year students typically arrive at the University filled with enthusiasm to change their world. The University saw this as an opportunity to provide the platform and resources necessary to translate their motivation into practical solutions.
In structuring the event, coordinators emphasized the need for engineers to think deeply about the societal impacts of their innovations and encouraged participants to ask critical questions about not only who would benefit from their solutions but also why they should consider the wider consequences of their innovations.
“This competition epitomizes the potential of engineering to address critical societal challenges. It’s not just about mastering technology; it’s about creating change,” says Kristijan Kolozvari, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering. “Seeing our students apply their technical skills to make real-world impacts is profoundly inspiring.”
The challenge invited student teams to form in October and offered a social justice design workshop to empower students to focus on human-centered design concepts. Teams submitted ideas and accepted teams attended an entrepreneurship workshop in February. 13 teams submitted project ideas, each approaching unique societal problems. After thorough evaluation, nine finalists were selected to present their ideas to an expert panel.
Team CatByte emerged victorious and claimed the $6,000 first prize with their invention, “Catpanion,” a silicone cat toy aimed at alleviating anxiety among young therapy patients through meditation and other calming behaviors. Simple in nature, this collection of small motors and haptic devices builds on proven techniques to calm users’ anxiety.
“Children from low-income and minoritized backgrounds often experience greater inaccessibility to mental health resources,” says Ankita Mohapatra, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. “The surge in demand for telehealth services during and following the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the urgent need for solutions that bridge technology with therapy solutions. In response to this need, introducing a device like Catpanion could be a vital step.”
Team Care received a $4,000 second-place award for the “CAaRE (Caretaker Assistance and Resources Engine)” application. This app aims to simplify the complex responsibilities faced by caregivers by integrating essential features into a user-friendly platform that coordinates scheduling, medication tracking, mental health resources, and more, potentially eliminating much of the stress involved in caretaking.
Team Defending Hearts and Harmony secured third place and the $2,000 prize with their safety-oriented application, “Wlk.” This app enables female students to request a trained female companion for walks on campus during late-night hours. This innovation was spurred by increasing assaults on college campuses, which motivated their team to develop an app aimed at reinforcing safety and fostering a stronger sense of community among women.
As seen in this year’s entrants, this annual event is a prime example of CSUF’s dedication to developing skilled engineers and, more importantly, conscientious citizens.
“By fostering an environment where innovation intersects with social consciousness, we aim to sculpt engineers who are not only adept at solving problems but also passionate about making a meaningful difference,” Dean Susan Barua explains.
Overall, the event underscores a critical truth: When wielded with empathy and social awareness, technology possesses the power to transform societies and uplift marginalized communities.
“It is amazing to see engineering and computer science students dive into the nuances of complicated issues like mental health services, public safety, and accessibility and come up with creative solutions using their considerable problem-solving abilities,” Kolozvari says. “It gives me hope for the future to see technology applied with empathy and social impact in mind.”
