An ambitious new University of Colorado program will align with Front Range industry to take on some of the world’s top problems.
Our Space, Our Future, a CU-based Grand Challenge announced Monday, will partner the university’s space exploration and science expertise with Front Range businesses and agencies in an attempt to solve major 21st-century issues.
“Grand challenge researchers will develop solutions in collaboration with government and industry partners to effectively and rapidly address the pace and pattern of changes in the resources and environment of our planet,” said Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano in a news release.
The program also aims to create new training opportunities for students in emerging space- and Earth science-related businesses.
President Obama in 2013 called on industry, academia and others for help in identifying and exploring the century’s most “Grand Challenges” as part of his Strategy for American Innovation.
The university will invest $4 million in two initial projects: Earth Lab and the Integrated Remote and In Situ Sensing Initiative (IRISS), according to the release.
“We’re tackling issues close to home, including how can we better adapt to fires, floods and droughts – sources of key vulnerabilities to Colorado’s environment and livelihood,” Earth Lab principal investigator, professor Jennifer Balch said in the release.
IRISS is a multi-disciplinary approach for data collection, using unmanned aircraft systems — commonly called drones — to develop better drought prediction and weather events.
CU will have more than 20 space and Earth-science activities beginning in mid-September to celebrate the Grand Challenge, including films, art, research displays, a talk by Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye the Science Guy and an on-campus Mars Rover themed scavenger hunt.
