Brody LeMarche said of his team’s machine: “Arrgh - it was working just a minute ago!”
Nine teams of three students from Correlieu Secondary School’s engineering program attempted to lift 50kg of weight one meter off the ground in 10 minutes using only the wind from a table fan. For this project each group was given a month to design and build a machine from recycled components with each student experiencing different roles within their team, rotating leadership, design and technical work.
The judging of each group’s project prototype, documentation, sophistication and performance was provided by Correlieu yearbook editor, Kelsi Brown, automotive students Mario Topic, Kyler Schwartz and Correlieu librarian Troy Moore.
“The ingenuity shown by the students was remarkable. The ability to create a prototype which, using just the wind from a table fan, was able to deadlift 50kg was truly impressive,” Moore said.
“I was very impressed with how creative the boys were with their contraptions, including the use of skateboards and even K’nex, a mechanical type of Lego,” Kelsi Brown added.
CSS engineering teacher David Reeves weighed in on his students accomplishments.
“I am always very proud of my student’s abilities to take ownership of the problem at hand and produce remarkable solutions. Using mostly recycled materials, this program relies on community supporters like Eagle Building Supplies, who annually donate building materials” Reeves said.
These are the constraints applied to the construction and operation of the machines:
1. Need to be constructed and stored in the CAD lab classroom.
2. Be constructed of recycled materials
3. Use no other energy source except the wind energy of the fan provided.
4. Be able to run unassisted.
5. Operate in a safe manner without injury to anyone or damage to the room.
Richard Browning did not have much confidence in his group’s machine but it all came together the night before.
In first place: Team Ze German Dinosaurs, group leader Eric Smith, Logan Lybeck and Jordan Mullin.
Second place: Team Fast Orange, Brody LaMarche, Nick Doherty and Johnathon Richardson.
Third place: Team No Name, Samuel McCart, Jarrid Uphill and Sonny Cervienka.
The primary purpose of Correlieu Secondary’s Engineering 10-12 program is to teach practical problem solving and introduce organizational behaviour concepts. Students simulate and apply the engineering design process and group dynamics to stimulate aptitudes and career awareness.
– Submitted by
David Reeves