Description

The Indiana Bicentennial Commission (IBC) was created by former governor Mitch Daniels to plan and execute a statewide celebration of Indiana’s 200th birthday in 2016. The commission has requested that researchers at Purdue University develop a high-tech Indiana-made flame torch a la the Olympic torch to be used in the celebration and displayed throughout all 92 counties of the state. In addition, the IBC requested that Purdue’s EPICS program develop a kid-friendly torch that can be used alongside the actual torch in relays, celebrations, and community outreach events throughout the state.

By collaborating with Purdue researchers throughout a range of engineering disciplines, we were able to formulate a design method and plan as to how to design the torch and incorporate it to be involved with the actual torch. In addition to working with ME and MSE to work out the details of the shape and material of the torch, our electrical team representing EE worked on the design of the flame lighting and its power source. Our educational outreach team contacted Sunnyside Intermediate School in Lafayette, Indiana to develop an interactive curriculum that incorporates the bicentennial celebration, Indiana’s history, and learning experiences that involve the torch as a symbol.

This ongoing project serves to bring together various engineering disciplines for one common goal to produce a representative torch to help commemorate Indiana’s Bicentennial Celebration and in the process inspire Hoosiers and promote unity across the state by connecting people, communities, and regions.

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EPICS Torch

The Indiana Bicentennial Commission (IBC) was created by former governor Mitch Daniels to plan and execute a statewide celebration of Indiana’s 200th birthday in 2016. The commission has requested that researchers at Purdue University develop a high-tech Indiana-made flame torch a la the Olympic torch to be used in the celebration and displayed throughout all 92 counties of the state. In addition, the IBC requested that Purdue’s EPICS program develop a kid-friendly torch that can be used alongside the actual torch in relays, celebrations, and community outreach events throughout the state.

By collaborating with Purdue researchers throughout a range of engineering disciplines, we were able to formulate a design method and plan as to how to design the torch and incorporate it to be involved with the actual torch. In addition to working with ME and MSE to work out the details of the shape and material of the torch, our electrical team representing EE worked on the design of the flame lighting and its power source. Our educational outreach team contacted Sunnyside Intermediate School in Lafayette, Indiana to develop an interactive curriculum that incorporates the bicentennial celebration, Indiana’s history, and learning experiences that involve the torch as a symbol.

This ongoing project serves to bring together various engineering disciplines for one common goal to produce a representative torch to help commemorate Indiana’s Bicentennial Celebration and in the process inspire Hoosiers and promote unity across the state by connecting people, communities, and regions.