I watched two TED talks concerning sustainable design of buildings and road systems. Building design is deeply tied to my career of interest, Civil Engineering. The first was Michael Pawlyn’s ‘Using Nature’s Genius in Architecture.’ I selected this talk because I find materials science very interesting, and because civil engineers serve as the link between materials scientists and architects, creating innovative configurations and combinations of materials to produce a desired look. I learned of a project in the Sahara Desert to create lush, green swaths of growing crops and solar plants. I learned that there are machines used in the region surrounding the Sahara that mimic a certain beetle’s ability to condense water from the sea on its shell and use this water to sustain itself. The talk presented the ideas of a cyclical use of resources, with waste from one process spawning production in another, as well as many other examples of how people are creating synthetic materials to emulate useful structures in nature. The second video I watched was Enrique Penalosa’s ‘Why Buses Represent Democracy in Action.’  Penalosa spoke primarily of unique methods for reinventing how cities are planned and built. His argument was that cities should be designed around people, not cars. This means implementing a new system of roadways with large pedestrian and bike-only sections to balance the overcrowding of cars in  inner city districts. Civil engineers are primarily responsible for creating systems of roads. If there is a change in the way roads are built, then civil engineers are at the forefront of the change. Sustainability in design is one very important reason that companies hire civil engineers. These engineers must create new ways to conserve materials, cut costs, and build efficiently. This means education in sustainable design is absolutely necessary for a student in the field of civil engineering.

‍‍Thomas Collins

1900 Cannon Drive, Columbus OH, 43210 | 234.380.2896 | collinsthomas8@gmail.com

Education

High School Honors diploma | 21 May 2015 | Hudson High School

• Related coursework: Honors courses including Honors Algebra II, English, German IV, Pre-calculus, U.S. History, World History
• AP coursework including Calculus AB, Government and Politics, Language and Composition, Physics B, Physics C, Psychology

Future Bachelor’s of science | soon | The ohio state university

• Major: Civil Engineering
• Minor: Earth Sciences
• Related coursework: Environment and Natural Resources Scholars Program

Skills & Abilities

Management

• Project planning and management experience through earning the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America
• Teamwork and cooperation experience through time as Section Leader in Hudson High School Marching Band

Communication

• Received high marks in writing and humanities courses
• Honed delivery and poise of presentations as a radio DJ with AROUSE Student Radio and a Morning Announcements anchor at Hudson High School for two years

Leadership

• Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 333 in the Boy Scouts of America
• Eagle Scout Project Leader
• Led project to expand children’s playground at St. Mary Catholic Parish in Hudson, OH

Experience Clubs and Extracurricular

Office Assistant | St. Mary Catholic church | august 2013-august 2014

• Responsible for making copies, assembling folders, greeting visitors, and facilitating secretary functions
• Obtained organizational skills through tasks as office assistant

Clubs and Extracurricular Activities

• AROUSE Student Radio – A student internet-based radio group dedicated to personal expression and free radio, with emphasis on development of communication skills
• Environment and Natural Resources Scholars – A group of Ohio State University students dedicated to understanding natural resources, the environment, and conservation with a focus on service, community outreach, and volunteerism