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This project addresses a side effect of climate change. There are two subsets of North American beavers. Those who live in climates with cold winters and those who live in warmer climates. As global temperatures rise, beavers that live in warmer climates can migrate and live in these historically cold climates. However, these historically cold climates, although warmer, are still susceptible to cold snaps. The beavers from the warmer climates have never had to prepare for winter because the temperatures never got low enough. Because they still don't prepare, when a cold snap comes to their new habitat, they all die off. They can die from a few different ways, such as starvation, due to a lack of food storage, or hypothermia, because they didn't insulate their lodge enough. We decided to address the insufficient insulation problem. Our project is a device that uses compressed air to deploy a net-like lattice on top of a beaver lodge. This lattice has speakers attached that play water leaking sounds. The only way a beaver tells if their lodge is leaking is through sound, so it is really easy to trick them. They then think their lodge is leaking and, in turn, build up more material on their lodge until they can no longer hear the speakers. This results in more insulation on their lodge so they can survive the winter.

؜[Untitled Br

by Nikita and Paxton

Bridge

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Present

Our project focuses on designing a quickly deployable road system for areas affected by flooding caused by beavers. The goal is to minimize traffic disruptions by providing a quick, temporary infrastructure solution that allows vehicles to pass safely through flooded zones.

Problem: Overgrown tree branches limiting food supply

؜Adyana and Kellan

Final

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Present

Limited sunlight reaching the forest floor because of dense canopy cover prevents saplings and young trees from growing. Since beavers rely on these trees as a major food source, the minimal plant growth can force them to leave their natural habitats and move closer to human-populated areas in search of food. This creates human-wildlife conflict. To address this issue, we asked ourselves: how might we create a device that can safely and efficiently clear sections of the canopy to allow more sunlight to reach the ground? Our solution was to design a drone attachment capable of flying into forested areas, attaching itself to branches, and selectively cutting parts of the canopy. By opening areas for sunlight to pass through, the drone helps sapling growth, restores food sources for beavers, and helps keep them within their natural ecosystems.

؜Moe Sound Machine

؜By Owen Jamal, Max DiCarlo

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Present

Beavers cause problems at culverts because they hear flowing water and treat it like a leak that needs to be blocked. They build dams from sticks, mud, and debris, which clogs the culvert and causes flooding near roads and nearby land. When people remove the dams, the beavers often return and rebuild them, creating an ongoing cycle of damage and conflict. We solved this problem by creating a sound machine that scares beavers away from the culvert before they start building. This helps reduce flooding, lowers maintenance costs, and keeps both people and beavers safer.

Culvert Gear

؜Mira Bedi

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Present

Beavers clogging culverts creates a serious problem because it can lead to dangerous flooding and erosion that affects both people and the environment. While beavers naturally look for places with flowing water to build their dams, they often see culverts as ideal spots, not realizing the risks they create. This behavior can block water flow, causing water to back up, flood roads or nearby land, and weaken surrounding soil. To address this, solutions should focus on discouraging beavers from building in culverts while still respecting their natural instincts. Designing barriers or systems that guide beavers away from culverts and allow water to flow freely can help reduce these risks and create a safer balance for both humans and wildlife. How I addressed this problem was by designing a device with a spinning-like motion to make it uneasy for beaver dams to stay in place in the culverts. I used different gear types and water flow to power this device.

Unicorn Sparkles

U N I C O R N

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Present

At the age of two, beavers are kicked out of the lodge. They must find a new place to build a home. Unfortunately, human made roads form a dangerous crossing; the most perilous part of the journey. We set out to create a safer method for beavers to cross roads. With a speculative mindset, wings designed specially for beavers came to existence. Our main goal with this project is to make people think outside the box, and imagine: could beavers actually make their own wings? We want to educate people on the struggles these animals face in their lives, and try to inspire people to have more compassion towards nature.

Plant and Protect

By: Zephyros, Enzo, and Sammy

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Present

what provide/produce/protect food for beavers so they can continue to stay in the same location for longer. why beavers that run out of food will look for new sources of food and sometimes cause conflict with humans by washing out culverts or flooding fields when establishing new territory. How I we did this by making an amphibious robot/rover that plants aspen shoots and then builds a safety barrier around them, after a day of planting the rover returns to its docking station to refill on supplies and recharge.

؜Beaver Speed؜؜

Max & Kaia

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Present

Beaver Speed is a speculative design project that aims to increase the speed beavers are able to run. To do this we designed prosthetic leg extensions for the beavers back and front legs. If the beaver is given longer legs and better traction they would hopefully be able to outrun predators and cross roads with less chance of being hit.

sffby 💔💔🌹🌹

؜(stable feeding for beavers yo)

؜By Enzo, Sammy and Z

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Present

؜Beaver Speed؜؜

Max & Kaia

1 / 14

Present

Beaver Centered Design

Winter is Coming

final prez

Canopy Clearer

Moe Sound Machine

Mira Bedi - Culvert Gear

Final Presentation- Rafa & Elise

Final presentation

Beaver Speed

Template

Mid Review

Or