Tags: agriculture, energy, I.T., STEAM IP, transportation
The Virginia State University (VSU) National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Chapter is tackling a critical issue affecting their campus—severe parking shortages due to increased enrollment and ongoing construction projects. In partnership with the NEXT Steps Youth Entrepreneur Program (YEP) nonprofit, the chapter is leveraging Community On Demand, an interactive workforce development card game, to gamify problem-solving and drive engagement through The Stakeholder’s Dilemma.
This innovative approach empowers students and local residents, including Public Housing Authority (PHA) residents, to collaboratively design solutions for SMART City infrastructure. Through skills self-assessments and gamified milestones, participants build critical thinking, leadership, and technical expertise while addressing real-world challenges.
Key Initiative: MLK Day Play Date
To accelerate development, VSU NSBE and NEXT Steps YEP will host a Community On Demand Play Date on January 20th at 4 PM at the VSU School of Engineering & Technology. The event aims to bring together 150 residents, students, business owners, veterans, and community leaders to design the next iteration of the SMART Parking App alongside plans for a green, vertical parking deck.
Proposed SMART Parking Deck Features:
- Rooftop Garden: Sustainable green space for beautification and urban agriculture.
- Self-Cleaning Elevators: Low-maintenance, hygienic solutions for high-traffic areas.
- IoT Technologies: Smart sensors for space availability and dynamic management.
- EV Charging Stations: Support for clean energy transportation.
Community Engagement & Workforce Development:
The project provides an opportunity for PHA residents to collaborate with NSBE and NSBE Jr. students, creating SMART City solutions that integrate seamlessly into the local STEAM Ecosystem. Using gamification, Community On Demand transforms ideas into actionable plans, promoting STEAM education and career pathways for underserved populations.
The initiative not only addresses campus parking shortages but also fosters economic equity, innovation, and workforce readiness by developing skills aligned with future job markets.
We welcome the American Made Network’s support in advancing this transformative project and look forward to connecting with industry leaders to scale this effort.
