Engineers for a Sustainable World

ESW at Northwestern University (ESWNU) empowers students to take on leadership roles in applying the principles of sustainability to their present and future work through action-based engineering projects and the education of ourselves and our community on sustainability.

ESWNU is open to all/any enrolled Northwestern student.

  • AutoAquaponics Photo
    AutoAquaponics

    NU AutoAquaponics is building a fully automated, remote monitored and controlled farming system to grow both fish and plants without human labor in an enclosed office on campus.

  • PLAstic Photo
    PLAstic

    PLAstic aims build a system that mechanically recycles PLA waste generated from 3D printers in the corner makery into functional filament that can be used for prototyping.

ESW logo gif

What We Do

  • Design

    Help design, build, and implement long lasting sustainability solutions in our community.

  • Educate

    Gain both the technical and professional skills needed to tackle the world's biggest problems.

  • Unite

    Collaborate with students from all backgrounds to forge solutions to sustainability challenges.



ESWNU in the News

SmartTree CAD ESW Makes Strides
in Student-Led Projects

February 25, 2025

Fish in AutoAquaponics tank History of AutoAquaponics

May 29, 2023

Grads to Celebrate ’23 Grads to Celebrate ’23

May 2023

Engineers for a Sustainable World's NU chapter puts their skills to use Engineers for a Sustainable World's
NU Chapter Puts Their Skills to Use

May 24, 2023

Ottino's Legacy in McCormick Whole-Brain Engineering Celebrating Dean Julio M. Ottino's
Legacy in Northwestern Engineering

May 17, 2023

McCormick Engineering: NU SWE hosts 2023 Career Day for Girls NU SWE hosts engineering-focused
2023 Career Day for Girls

February 28, 2023

ESW's Bill Yen recognized in Wildcat Impact Awards AutoAquaponics project manager receives
Winter 2023 Wildcat Impact Award

Winter 2023

Northwestern News Network: Earth Day Special featuring ESWNU Northwestern News Network:
Earth Day 2022 Special Report

April 22, 2022

Daily NU Article: NU Declassified Exploring Engineering NU Declassified: Exploring Engineering

November 15, 2021

Daily NU Article: Climate advocates, NU researchers promote clean energy to combat climate change NU researchers promote clean energy
to combat climate change

November 15, 2021

McCormick Newsletter featuring ESWNU Building Community. Making an Impact.

Fall, 2021

McCormick Magazine McCormick Engineering Magazine
ESWNU featured on the Back Cover

Spring, 2021

McCormick Lecture Highlights Pandemic-related Adjustment of Student Activities McCormick Lecture Highlights Pandemic-
related Adjustment of Student Activities

April 30, 2021

ASG Article ASG funds two “Wild Ideas”
from NU students

November 5, 2020

Daily NU Article: NU students welcome new decade of sustainability on campus NU students welcome
new decade of sustainability on campus

January 22, 2020

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