181 PICS

Simple Innovation as the Power to Change the Developing World

To follow the engineering projects aimed at combating poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation. I would travel from laboratories of MIT to troubled countryside of Zimbabwe and show the world the wealth of fresh ideas worldwide.

Components of Project
This project would follow some of the individuals and institutions who are working hard to create change through construction and action. This project has two main components, 1. photographing at technical universities from MIT to Addis Ababa University that are doing research to better the condition in the developing world and 2. going to sites in the developing world that are currently starting new sustainable engineering projects.

Goals
The goals of this project are 1. help bridge the information gap that stops new technology from catching on worldwide with the photography and blog, 2. inspire further innovation with the spread of ideas to create new designs for those who need it, and 3. show off successfully implemented innovation. The photographs created with this project will be close up portraits of the people behind the engineering, the people who benefit from the engineering, and the technology in action. The blog posts will show these photographs, give in depth information on the technology behind the engineering, and give as much information as possible on the groups involved and how the public could help them.

Detailed Summary
Engineering and innovation have the power bring new, fresh ideas to the developing world that can revolutionize both urban and rural lives, alleviating poverty and fostering long term environmental safety. We live in a world with so many gigantic problems, many of which can be solved better by new design than policy making. Engineering is unique because it has the power to create and "do" that is lacking in general policy measures. Engineering projects in the developing world that use technologies to help necessities in new cheap and simple ways are the focus of this project.

The stories this project will follow fall into three main categories all aimed at using technology to better the condition for those with need, 1. poverty alleviation through the creation of new entrepreneurship, 2. increased food production, and 3. stop environmental degradation that causes deforestation that leads to erosion and landslides and pollution to water resources.

1. I could photograph an Engineers Without Borders project in Kabul that has created a local business owned and operated by orphans and the previously impoverished disabled, which creates sustainable fuel briquettes from paper and other waste. This project not only creates jobs using a simple engineering design, but uses waste instead of producing it.

2. I could photograph at a Heifer International project in rural Zimbabwe that seeks to introduce new farming techniques to increase food production in the poorest country in the world. Heifer works to establish food self-reliance and sustainability, while empowering women and individuals who currently be self-reliant.

3. I want to photograph projects that are working to create preventive technology in South-East Asia to prevent disaster in future natural disasters, through environmental protection. I would search through projects from governments, NGOs, and the UN that hope to revolutionize home construction and water systems and filtration to protect victims and the environment. Projects that aim at preventing erosion, by using sustainable materials that require no deforestation and prevent landslides are particularly interesting, as well as projects that focus on creating protected water supplies against salt water intrusion and other water pollution.

These are only potential destinations and my final destinations will be determined based upon the innovators I meet at the IDEAS Competition and what other new and exciting technologies prove necessities in future global conditions.

Photographic Destinations
Amy Smith's Invention Lab and the IDEAS Competiton at MIT- Cambridge, USA
Addis Ababa University Technology School- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fuel Briquette Project in Kabul, Afghanistan
Heifer project in rural Zimbabwe
Flooding relief projects in South-East Asia

Rank: 90

123 Comments

FatherJohn

Wow. This is very well planned and detailed. You have my vote and my best wishes.

bwright8

This is such a great idea! Grassroots engineering will change the world!

bsasso

This idea is awesome! I pic'd it. My dream is to document what is happening in the Congo in order to expose the most fatal conflict since WWII. Return the vote?

imaclellan

Thanks Father John, your enthusiasm on this site is astounding.

imaclellan

Thanks bwright for your interest!

imaclellan

Thanks bsasso. I am actually working in the Congo this summer for International Bridges to justice (maybe). Check out my website here http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/

Thanks everyone for voting and let me know if you need me to return the favor.

imaclellan

Make sure to check out my portfolio and blog for more information on me and my previous photographic experience http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/
Thanks!

DMONA

This is very cool, you have my vote, check out mine on bonnaroo, and waffle house, good luck

DMONA

I love your work..

scottindermaur

NIce dream. Thanks for the vote. I enjoyed your images on your blog.

imaclellan

Thanks so much DMONA. You have a very fun project.

imaclellan

Thanks scottindermaur you have a lovely project idea!

hwellm1

good luck ian! sounds neat!

hwellm1

that's hannah wellman by the way...

imaclellan

Thanks so much Hannah!

larry


Nice work! You've got my vote :-)

http://ecodelmar.org/ocean

imaclellan

Thanks so much larry, best of luck!

http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/

arlinladue

Very cool idea!

imaclellan

Thanks for the support Arlin!

theconman9

sorry i didn't really read it but it sounds interesting and i joined the facebook group soooo yeah.

imaclellan

Thanks for the support Connor.

x3igh7

Very nice idea, good luck.

Kelleigh

a vote back at you! Nice job... this is an amazing idea!

imaclellan

Thanks C Smith for the support.

firegirl445

I REALLY like this idea/essay Ian! Very well thought out and you've already got the basic research and knowledge and combine that with the skills portrayed in your photography and your passion and I think you have a winning idea! Best of luck to you! (And, Thanks!) :^)

Kim Doyle Wille

Vikk

Hi, thanks for voting for my reading project: http://tinyurl.com/canbfv

Here's my vote for another great idea. Good luck! Great job on a well-thought idea.

tigerlily

Thanks for your vote...here sone for you to. PLease check out mine everyone! And also I have worked in Zimababwe..I have been watching and debating for that region publicly...!Go for it.

imaclellan

Thanks Kim. I am the new vice president of EWB here at Tufts and a double science major and feel I am the right type of person for this project with the experience and know how in technology, photography, and internet media. Thanks again for the vote and feel free to spread the idea!

imaclellan

Thanks for the vote Vikk, spread the project around!

imaclellan

Hi Anna, I was actually going to work in Zimbabwe this summer, but was unable to fully convince my mother of any degree of safety, so for her sanity I decided to work elsewhere(now the Congo probably).
Good luck Anna.

monamakela

Great! I voted for this one!

imaclellan

Thanks for the support Mona!

lucasbarth

awesome idea, i voted for you, please have a look at mine and return the vote, good luck!

KSchell14

This is a great idea! Best of luck!

imaclellan

Thanks for the votes Lucas!

imaclellan

Thanks Kate, I got to shake things up to start catching up...

Kelleigh

Thank you again.... I will keep voting cuz I LOVE your idea!

imaclellan

Thanks for the vote Kelleigh! You have two cool project ideas.

Inquisitoroflife

I really like your style of photographs! You should check out this creative professional portfolio website: www.behance.net

imaclellan

Thanks for the comment Magdelana. That site looks good.

willbaxter

Good idea. Voted you you. Feel free to vote for my project on human rights abuses, land seizures, political upheaval and the overall struggles of daily life in Zimbabwe.

imaclellan

I almost worked on a project in Zimbabwe this summer.

Thanks Will.

lizriznyc

you got my vote! your idea is very interesting.. best of luck!

imaclellan

Thanks so much Elizabeth for the comment and vote.

kaleidoscope

Fun, original idea. I'd love to see this project! also great website!

rogerrabbitt

Good luck Ian!

holdingmybreath

Quite an amazing concept! Are you by chance an engineer?

imaclellan

Thanks Hugo!

imaclellan

Thanks Bill!

imaclellan

Heather, I am a biology and environmental science major at Tufts University. I work very closely with engineers though and am the vice president of engineers without borders at Tufts. So I am in an engineer in the sense that I think like one, but have no degree as such...

jeffdkennel

Great idea Ian. Would love to see this come to fruition.

imaclellan

Thanks so much for the comment Jeff. Represent that IBJ love, haha.

imaclellan

Woot I made it to my first goal of 50 in 25 hours. Now I need to make it to 100 to be able to start competing. Make sure to check out http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/ to see why I am capable of this project.

Thanks to everyone who has voted so far, spread the word! and comment!

lesaclose

Thanks for the vote--I voted for you as well! :)

imaclellan

Thanks Lesa for the comment.

Chrispy_ren

Thx Ian! u got my vote! best of luck man!

imaclellan

Thanks for the vote and comment Christian.

sallen11388

ian, this is awesome. i hope it happens somehow.

sam

imaclellan

Thanks for the comment and vote Sam!
I'll try my best...

corinafiore

Great idea! Best of luck! thanks for the vote as well!

imaclellan

Thanks for the vote Corina! Best of luck!

jcreamer

It's a thoughtful, excellent project Ian - let me know if you want posted on First Class at your old school.

jacreamer

imaclellan

Thanks Mr. Creamer!

That would actually be wonderful, I need to reach out to as many networks as possible.

mdoherty12

Good luck, Ian. Sounds like a really interesting project.
-Mike

imaclellan

Thanks so much Mike! Hope all is going well at Groton.
Spread the word.

mhwright88

Fantastic idea! Don't ever give up!

- MHW

imaclellan

Thanks for the support Michael!

imaclellan

I would like to give a special thanks right now to the Wright family in Rhode Island for all their support. Thanks!

ThirdWorldAmerican

Fascinating idea! You got my vote!

imaclellan

Thanks Paul for the comment. Spread the word about this project.

kcphoto

Thanks Ian! Good luck! Your idea appears very well thought out- I have confidence in you!

imaclellan

Thanks for the support Kent!

sqwebb

You've got my vote, kiddo. WOW.

ldunne

Thanks for your PIC! Good luck to you too! I think we have a long haul to pass the person in first place, but it's fun to participate and learn about others' "dreams!"

Laure

diannecb

Good luck to you. Change the world! You voted for me-I vote for you, too.

imaclellan

Thanks so much Sarah. Get out the vote at Groton!

imaclellan

Thanks Laure, represent the struggle.

imaclellan

Thanks Dianne! Best of luck with your project!

MegRuth

Thanks for the vote imaclellan! I appreciate it. Very intrigued by your dream. Good luck!

imaclellan

Thanks for the support Megan!

imaclellan

I would just like to take this time to emphasize that all locations and individuals that I have mentioned above are potential locations for the project and final decisions would be made based upon timing, availability, and world climate and politics. Thanks so much everyone for the support!

zensunni

Nice dream. Excellent Write Up! You have my vote

wheelersparks

Nice... Best of luck with this. Sounds like you'll put it to good use.

imaclellan

Thanks for the kind words Michael!

imaclellan

Thanks so much Wheeler, best of luck with your proposal.

diddiejar

Thanks for the vote. I returned it. =) Great idea.

imaclellan

Thanks for the vote stefanie!

miamacl

I loved your photos from your group's water project in El Salvador a few years back.You showed great insight at your tender young age. Now that you're a bit older, it's fantastic to see your continued interest in using photography for humanitarian causes. Good luck.

imaclellan

Thanks for the support and encouragement Maria!

wackeychan

indeed.

imaclellan

Thanks for pushing me into the top 100 Mattson!

imaclellan

Thanks for the support Wendy! That would be fun!

imaclellan

Thanks so much for all the positive words and support that has pushed me into the top 100 in less than 3 days!

mcarthur

Ian, you're the man, really impressive. Best of Luck!

rogue24

geat idea i voted 4 you if you get the chance please vote for me...

imaclellan

Thanks Scott! Represent EWB!

imaclellan

Thanks for the support Heather!

cocutzamisca

That is a well done plan;good luck!Voted.

imaclellan

Thanks Misca for the support!

khoward

Wonderful project idea! Best of luck!

innatephoto

Thanks for your vote, here's one to you! Good luck!

imaclellan

Thanks for the vote Kathryn!

imaclellan

Thanks for the support Kirsten!

adamjames

You have my vote, If you get the chance, check out my dream "From Australia With Love" and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for it!

Thanks.

-Adam

jules73

i like! i'm returning the favor and you have my vote.
good luck!

mermaiden

Thanks for the vote! Your's sounds amazing

mermaiden

Very modern. Voted! see how you fancy my dream...

imaclellan

Thanks for the vote Adam, you seem very very very enthusiastic in caps locks and everything...

imaclellan

Thanks for the vote and support Julie.

imaclellan

Thanks for the vote of support Jessica.

delmi

Supporting your project. Voting. Good luck

Tom

I voted for you. Good luck.

Nakedskin

very well planned i voted for you Please check out my idea thank you.

scottindermaur

You got my vote. Very cool. Check out my dream and comment/pic. thanks

imaclellan

Thanks Delmi for the support!

imaclellan

Thanks Shane for the support!

imaclellan

Thanks "the T" for your vote and kind words.

imaclellan

Thanks Scott for your support again?

AngieRowe

Thanks for your vote! Yours is a wonderful idea as well!! Best of luck to you! :)

forkylovespictures

Thanks for the support. Your idea is a great one to!

mwindisch

Interesting and worthwhile project - please check out an additional project that I like! http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/richs85/making-peace-with-the-world-peace-corps-at-50/

instudiox

I like your idea, check out mine and vote for me if you like it. Its about poverty and society in 3rd world countries and how they are controlled, devastated by their governments and western industrialized nations.

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imaclellan imaclellan
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