Engineering Cool Stuff Camp 2009  

This year we were blessed with beautiful weather, fun loving IGERT students and a group of middle school students who were ready and raring to go. Each year, the IGERT SURE and IGERT students help out at the Engineering Cool Stuff Camp which is run by the College of Engineering under Kathy Werrell and Joe Tanner. It is a wonderful team effort where the middle schoolers learn about a whole range of different engineering feats and facets!

Cory Budischak kicked off the day with an educational power point about solar power cars and gave some clues about building the cars. Afterwards, Glenn Catlin provided insight into how the gears work in the cars and gave the students some helpful hints about what types of gears to use. Whilst this was taking place, John Clinger and Keith Douglass helped set up the race track on the tennis courts.

Once the ‘how to make these?’ presentations were complete, the middle school students were put into groups and started creating their solar cars. The IGERT SURE and IGERT students offered assistance and guidance throughout the process and did a fantastic job of inspiring the students without giving them too much help…

After lunch, we wandered out to the tennis courts and were ready to race. The sun was shining and the cars zoomed along the track without any problems. It was great to see the excitement within the faces of the participants as the cars reacted well to the power generated by the sun.

It was a memorable day and thanks must go out to all members of the IGERT team who were willing participants on this hot and sticky day. Once again, you made the day a wonderful success!

Mo Bremner
IGERT Program Coordinator

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