|
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Operation Catapult program lived up to its name this summer, launching high school students’ interests in engineering and science through a series of interesting and self-rewarding hands-on
projects.
|
View Session II Photo Album |
 |
Learning About Genetic Engineering: High school seniors that examined the affects of bacteria strands on petunia and habanero pepper plants during the July Operation Catapult session included (from left) Austin Hayhurst,
Mariana Caballero, Jonathan Leibowitz and Eric Lynn. This was the first time that a genetic engineering project had been part of the summer education program. |
After all, where else could teenagers get the opportunity to create genetically-engineered plants, examine the science behind biofuels, conduct wind tunnel tests or create role-playing computer games under the guidance of college
professors.
Then, there were lectures on a variety of engineering and science topics, field trips to examine real-world projects and discoveries by engineers and scientists, late-night talks about college with student counselors, and a long list
of intramural and extracurricular activities.
“Really, I’m surprised that we got everything done, because, frankly, there was so much crammed into each day,” admitted Jonathan Leibowitz of Manchester, N.J. “At the beginning, you think that 18 days (the session length) is a long
time. However, they’re a lot that has to get done -– your research, examining the data, the written and oral reports, and final presentation –- that you end up needing every last minute.”
Completing its 42nd year, Operation Catapult brought together 225 students this summer from 35 states and China to work in teams to design and assemble Frisbee throwing devices, electronic "smart" cars and embedded control devices,
simple computer games, model hovercrafts, trebuchets and miniature submarines. The students also conducted wind tunnel tests, analyzed the strength capacity of trusses, and examined microbiology, forensic science, ferrofluids, polymer
synthesis and battery technology.
Two 18-day sessions were organized this year: July 9-26 and June 15 to July 3. Each session had the same student counseling staff but different faculty project mentors.
 |
Collecting Data: Andrew Davidson keeps a close watch over the chemical reactions underway in a biofuel mixture developed in the chemical engineering laboratory during Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Operation Catapult program. |
Leibowitz joined Mariana Caballero of Muscle Shoals, Ala.; Austin Hayhurst of Newburgh, Ind.; and Eric Lynn of Easton, Pa., in examining the affects of bacteria strands on petunia and habanero pepper plants. The plant-specific
microbes called tobacco mosaic and tobacco rattle viruses were inserted into the plants. The viruses spread throughout the plants within a week and produced abundant amounts of the desired protein, causing the plants to glow and exhibit the
affects of photobleaching. The project was supervised by Peter Coppinger, assistant professor of applied biology and biomedical engineering.
“He (Coppinger) made it a really cool and interesting experience,” assessed Hayhurst. “His enthusiasm for science and research rubbed off on us. I never knew that research could be so exciting.”
Also during the July session, Daryl Hansen of Sammamish, Wash., and Andrew Davidson of Chesterfield, Mo., produced biofuel mixtures from recently dead biological materials. There is growing interest in using biofuels globally, most
commonly to power vehicles. The genetic engineering project was supported by Scott McClellan, assistant professor of chemical engineering.
“I wanted a hands-on experience, while investigating the fields of science, having an opportunity to work one-on-one with a college professor, and get to know students from other regions of the country that also have interests in
science and engineering,” stated Davidson. “I also wanted (Operation Catapult) to prepare me better for college and the social environment on a college campus. I wasn’t disappointed.”
 |
Record-Setting Project: Designing a Frisbee-throwing device that hurled the disc approximately 225 feet from the starting line were (from left) Braden Eliason, Michael Tran, David Lew, Justin Fry and Thuy Tran. |
Neither was a team of budding engineers that designed and assembled a Frisbee throwing machine this month that hurled the disc-shaped device approximately 225 feet, quite possibly an Operation Catapult record. The machine utilized a
swing arm, powered by tightly-wound strands of latex tubing, on a thin metal topped table. Sandpaper on the edge of swing arm and silicon spray helped create the essential elements for a successful flight –- quick speeds and rotational lift.
“We kept things really simple and it seemed to work out the best,” stated Braden Eliason of Shoreview, Minn. Team members took slow-motion video of the device during testing to examine the physics of the throwing mechanics in hopes of
improving on the original design, which caused the Frisbee to travel just 10 feet.
“Everyone says ‘It is just a table with an arm on it’. No, it’s a table that can throw a Frisbee 200 feet!,” proudly stated Thuy Tran of Friendswood, Texas.
 |
Interested In Engineering: Samantha Cowan examines the truss members of a miniature wood bridge before her team conducted tests to determine the strongest design -- from several original ideas. |
Also contributing to the successful project were Justin Fry and Michael Tran of Lake Zurich, Ill.; and David Lew of Richmond, Calif. The team’s faculty mentor was Brad Burchett, associate professor of mechanical engineering.
Other visiting students hoped that working on hands-on projects would give them a better idea about whether they would study engineering, science or mathematics during college.
“I like engineering. However, I didn’t how much I liked it before coming here,” stated Samantha Cowan of Pennsburg, Pa., who helped three students analyze the strengths of different truss designs. “I hoped (Operation Catapult) would
help me make a decision between what I would study in college. I came in being split between something in engineering or technology. Now I know that engineering is what I will stick with.”
Kevin Sutterer, associate professor of civil engineering, served as director of this year’s Operation Catapult programs. Other faculty project mentors during the July session included Burchett; Steven Chenoweth, associate professor of
computer science and software engineering; Coppinger; Patrick Ferro, assistant professor of mechanical engineering; McClellan; and Jianjian Song, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
See what happened during the July session at http://www.rose-hulman.edu/Catapult2008II/.
Find out more about the Operation Catapult program at
http://www.rose-hulman.edu/catapult/ |
