July 02, 2002

Operation Catapult Gives High Schoolers Engineering Experience

Frisbee Thrower: Matthew Mead demonstrates a Frisbee throwing device that his team completed during the June Operation Catapult session.

Academically talented high school seniors from throughout the country participated during June in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s unique Operation Catapult program to obtain experience working on technical projects in teams with a Rose-Hulman professor.

Now in its 36th year, the three-week educational program offers students a hands-on learning experience using laboratories and the expertise of full-time faculty.  Participants are challenged to be problem-solvers in areas dealing with chemistry, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and computer science.

This year’s June session had teams of students using ultrasonic sound wave sensors to construct a cane for the blind, learning the Java computer language for the creation of computer games, and testing the strength of reinforced concrete beams.  They also constructed model hovercrafts, a Frisbee throwing device and a mechanical device that climbed handrails.

“I’m a person that’s always asking ‘Why?’ and wondering how things work,” stated Colin Burns of Midlothian, Va., one of 112 students from 34 states attending the June session. A total of 134 students are planning to participate in the session from July 7-26.

“My teachers kept telling me that I had the aptitude for a career in engineering, math or science.  But I wasn’t sure.  Now I understand the direction that my career is headed.”

Rail Runner: Admiring their Rail Runner mechanical device that successfully completed a 150-foot course on the handrails of Moench Hall were Nathaniel Wetzel (in front), Heidi Allen (left), Johannah Itescu (right) and Greg Wilson (back).

Burns wasn’t alone.  Heidi Allen of Morgantown, W.Va., and Jennifer Kohler of White Bear Lake, Minn., became more aware of engineering and the important role engineers play in improving society.

“I had been told what engineers do but had very little personal knowledge about the profession.  Now, things about the profession have been brought into better focus for me,” said Allen, who completed a Rail Runner device that successfully traveled throughout the 150-foot continuous handrail in Rose-Hulman’s Moench Hall.  “I know the frustrations that engineers go through to complete a project.  I have a better appreciation for all the hard work and teamwork that goes into a finished project.”

Kohler stated, “I didn’t realize mathematicians do other things than just teach math.  I now know why mathematics is so important.”  Her group constructed a miniature tank that used ultrasonic waves to follow a course that was outlined by electrical tape on the floor of an electronic laboratory.

Cane For The Blind:Danielle LaPointe demonstrates her team's electrical engineering project, a cane that could assist a blind person to walk  down a stairway without assistance.

Glen Buckner of Farmington, Utah; Danielle LaPointe of Central Lake, Mich.; Dan Piper of Lexington, Ohio; and Amanda Youell of Chattanooga, Tenn., had to learn the “C” computer programming language to utilize microcontroller chips in development of a cane that would help a blind person walk down a stairway or down a hallway.  When encountering an obstruction, three ultrasonic sensors located throughout the length of the plastic cane caused the handle to vibrate, alerting the blind person to change his or her course.

“There were a lot of ideas in the early stages of the project.  However, we had to come up with things that were realistic and practical,” LaPointe said.

Buckner added, “I learned that a lot goes into solving problems.  I didn’t think that it would take nearly three weeks to complete the project.  But things kept cropping up along the way that needed to be answered.”

Robert Morse of Ceres, Calif., worked overtime with Ben Hankemeier of Gallatin, Tenn.; Tim Park of Superior, Mont.; and Evan Tinker of Overland Park, Kan., to assemble a “Smart Car” that used infrared sensors to prevent falling off the edge of a large table.

On The Edge: Robert Morse (right) and Evan Tinker watch   carefully as their "Smart Car" embedded control project uses   infrared sensors to keep from falling off the table.

“We finished (the project) the night before the final project display,” said Morse.  “It was pretty frustrating solving all of the problems that developed.  There was a great sense of accomplishment in seeing the car finally stay on the table.”

Operation Catapult also gave students a preview of what lies ahead in college by attending lectures by college professors; living in a residence hall; having a roommate; and participating in intramural activities.  Field trips to engineering-oriented corporations and research facilities were also part of the activities.

“Nobody knew anybody else in the group before we got here.  Now we’ve made friendships that could last for a long time,” LaPointe said.

Following The Course: The team of high school seniors (from left) Curtis Williams, Kenneth Cox, Jenny Kohler and Xing Huang watch as their "Smart Car" uses ultrasonic sensors to follow a course established on the floor of a Rose-Hulman electrical engineering laboratory.

Greg Wilson of Granger, Ind., summarized his experience by stating, “It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.  I feel I’m better prepared for college.”

Like most Operation Catapult participants, Colin Burns greeted his mother, Karen, with a large bag of dirty laundry to be taken back to Virginia.  He ran out of clean clothes in the middle of the third week.

“I figured that I could get by for three more days,” Burns said.  “With all the work we had to do on our project and our intramural activities, I didn’t have time to do laundry.”

“This is Colin’s type of place,” his smiling mother said.  “I didn’t hear much from him.  I wasn’t concerned.  I knew that he was having a good time.”