Who We Are?
Jambo everyone! We are the Creative Minds team from Penn State University-Berks. Our team is made of the most diverse and eccentric group of students, but we all have the same goal to fulfill. Creative Minds is made up of Electro-Mechanical Engineers, Business, and Information Sciences and Technology students. We came together to help the children at the Children Youth Empowerment Center (CYEC) and the people of Kenya who are currently facing an electronic waste issue.
Participants:
- Linda Camacho
- Joshua Hagy
- Timothy Heiler
- Krystle Morales
- Jeffrey Wieland
Professor:
- Dr. Sadan Kulturel
How Did This Project Start?
What brought this team together was our minor; Engineering Entrepreneurship at Penn State Berks. This program is overlooked by Dr. Sadan Kulturel. Back in fall 2010, our course ENGR 310- Entrepreneurial Leadership collaborated with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKAUT) in hopes of coming to a consensus about the largest issue that Kenya is currently facing. At the end of the fall semester we came to a conclusion that electronic waste would be the best issue to tackle with. It is currently a problem that has yet to be attended to.
In spring 2011, we continued with our idea in ENTR 497A- E-Recycling and Product Design in Kenya. Through the spring semester we further worked on our idea by establishing a plan and creating a business model. In April 2011, we participated in a business idea challenge organized by the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce. Our electronic waste jewelry idea won the 2nd place. This was a very important milestone for us because it further reinforced our plan and gave us the confidence that was needed to pursue our idea.
Currently the Creative Minds team is in Kenya helping the youth at the CYEC, and putting our idea into place. We are very excited to be here and to watch all of our hard work unfolds right before our eyes.
What Do We Want To Achieve?
Our mission for the CYEC is to be able to train and teach the youth about how to safely dismantle desktops and laptops, creative jewelry making, business and appropriate disposal of electronic waste. We hope that the children and young adults will be able to have a trade that will allow them to succeed in society.
The Children and Youth Empowerment Centre (CYEC), Nyeri.
The Centre is located approximately 100 miles north of Nairobi on the outskirts of Nyeri. The CYEC is an initiative of the national program for street dwelling persons and is intended to play a central role in the innovation of holistic and sustainable solutions for the population of street dwelling young people in Kenya.
Click the following link to check out our Day-to-Day blog!
Creative Minds from Penn State Berks 
Hi Creative Minds Team
Great article, good work. I’m glad I saw reference on cover of most recent MERCHANISER. Lead me to read your website updates.
I’m retired, and happen to be attending Berks PSU, taking a couple evening courses. It’s nice to see this type of student envolvement.
J. McCartin
By: Joe McCartin on September 8, 2011
at 8:46 pm
Thank you Joe. Glad to hear you are attending PSU Berks. Good luck with your education and future endeavors.
Creative Minds Team
By: creativeminds2011 on September 11, 2011
at 11:04 pm
Hey guys,
Just wanted to drop a note say thanks for all you have already done for the kids at CYEC and for giving them such a great additional resource in their journey toward independence. I miss you all and am blessed to have gotten to know each of you. Have a joyous Christmas holiday and enjoy your break.
Blessings to each of you – Ed B
By: Ed Babcock on December 16, 2011
at 6:42 am
Thank You Ed. It was a pleasure to meet you. We also want to thank you for all you have done for the kids at CYEC as well. Glad we had the chance to meet you and work with you at the CYEC. Hope you had a fabulous holiday and we all miss you. From Creative Minds Team
By: creativeminds2011 on January 3, 2012
at 3:32 pm