Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Students Create Bunk Beds for Children in Need

By Amelia Glosson (BS 27)

Imagine going to bed every night without a comfortable place to sleep. For thousands of children around the United States, this is their reality. 

Did you know that there are 100,284 kids in the U.S. who are without beds? Three percent of those children live in Kosciusko County. 

This summer, 16 students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering had the opportunity to make a difference in their community. Through a partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to building and delivering beds to children in need, students used their engineering skills to solve real-world problems. 

More Than Just A Bed

Through Grace College’s partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), engineering students stepped outside of the normal classroom setting and put their talents to work. 

“Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a national non-profit” that provides “handmade bunk beds to children who don’t have beds of their own,” explains Rory Kiphart, Building Manager for the project. “Not only do we deliver these beds to kiddos in need, but we partner with organizations, churches, businesses, and individuals to build them at events called Build Days!”

With a generous donation of $2,500, which covered everything from bedding to materials, students had the opportunity to complete a project from start to finish. By the end of the day, they had finished building 10 beds. 

Real World Projects

“We like to share stories from some of the deliveries we have made,” stated Kiphart. “All the students that I worked with and talked with were glad to know that they were helping kids get a bed to sleep in.”

The idea of students using their skills to serve others is an important part of engineering education at Grace. 

Dr. Fred Wentorf, chair of the Grace College Department of Engineering, envisioned a program where students would learn beyond technical knowledge. He dreamed of a curriculum in which students discovered that their skills can be used to meet the needs of others. At Grace College, students are challenged to think beyond what they are capable of and question why they are using those abilities to do what they do. 

1 Peter 4:10 states, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied Grace.” For engineering students, this can mean using their skills to build, develop, design, and solve problems for the good of those around them.

At Grace, students have opportunities, like this one, to take the things that they have learned and apply them to projects outside of the classroom. They can learn that their ability is a gift from God. 

Engineering At A Christian College

For students who are considering a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering after high school, choosing a college involves more than just deciding on a degree. Students should consider the kind of community a college offers and how their education will develop their skills to prepare them for future careers. 

Aspiring students have the chance to study engineering in a Christ-centered environment where faith is integrated in and out of the classroom. Grace College’s engineering program gives students the ability to learn technical skills so that they can apply them to community-focused projects in the future. 

Hands-on experience is an important part of education. Instead of sitting in a classroom waiting to put these skills into action, students pursuing engineering apply what they are learning to real-world projects.  

For middle or high school students who aren’t sure if they want to commit to an engineering career, Grace College’s Academic Camps are a perfect way to start. Over the years, this camp has welcomed 449 campers, ages 7-17, to explore their personal interests. 

Serving Others

“Child bedlessness, like many other social issues, is a community problem that requires a community answer,” said Kiphart. “To see college students become aware that this kind of issue exists will hopefully drive them to be the best at what they will eventually do in life and use their skills to make a profound impact in the communities where they live and work.”

For Sleep in Heavenly Peace, service goes hand in hand with the Christian community. 

“Throughout the New Testament, we are called to show others Christ’s love,” explains Kiphart. “I think activities like this provide a real-world way to be a selfless servant.” 

At Grace College, students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering can grow their technical abilities, gain hands-on experience, and discover how their college experience can impact their future. More importantly, they can alter their mindset on education that it is more than just a career; it is a preparation for a life’s purpose.