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Kettering Fairmont PLTW Program selected as an SME PRIME site
Western Hills students create a robotic 'arm'
Cincinnati Enquirer, The (OH)
November 22, 2005
Author: Jennifer Mrozowski, Enquirer staff writer
Edition: Late
Section: Metro
Page: 1B
'This teaches them how to take a pile of nothing and figure out how to use it'
What do you get when you cross some stranded copper wire with electrical tape, wood glue, a hose clamp, some chains, pipes and assorted junk?
A group of about 10 engineering students at Western Hills Design Technology High School got a robotic arm that simulates the type of computerized robot used to repair spacecraft.
The students at the Price Hill high school, which focuses on engineering technologies and uses a project-based curriculum, participated in an after-school group where they received a box of items and had to use the contents to create a robot.
The challenge was part of the Best Robotics Competition sponsored by the Ohio College of Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati. Best Robotics Inc., a Dallas-based nonprofit organization, encourages students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through the sports-like competitions. Schools across the nation compete.
"This teaches them how to take a pile of nothing and figure out how to use it to make something that works," said teacher Margaret Jenkins. "It teaches them creativity and innovation."
The students devoted dozens of hours after school and on weekends to the project.
As part of this year's competition, students had to create a robot that could be used to replace failing batteries and equipment for the Hubble Space Telescope. The machine had to be able pick up items without dropping them because anything that falls becomes "space debris," Jenkins said.
The items that needed to be lifted were cans with a knob connected to each one. Early in the design phase, the Western Hills Design Tech students learned that the motorized arm of their robot could pick up a can, but would drop it again as the arm swung toward the ground.
Mike Clodfelder, a Cinergy Corp. engineer advising the students, and junior Andrew Horn, 16, discussed ways to prevent the arm from falling. They decided that a piece of twine tied around the motor and the arm would create leverage and prevent the arm from swinging toward the ground.
"It could work," Andrew said, as he twisted the string around the machine.
While Andrew and other students tried to assemble the robot, junior Travell Mckines, 15, created designs using a computer engineering program. Travell said he got involved to get the experience.
Jenkins said the students also must incorporate a written presentation into the competition, including a notebook that describes the design process and research about the Hubble.
"I love building things," said Andrew, who has been participating in the robotics competition for three years. "It's a learning experience. And it's something I can put on a resume. I can say, 'I built a robot. What did you do in high school?' "
The students faced problems as they worked on the project, including difficulty finding equipment and tools to build the robot. And during the competition, the arm fell off once, Jenkins said. They placed fourth among 16 competing schools from Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. They did not advance to the next round, but they gained confidence, Jenkins said.
"This wasn't just book work," Jenkins said. "They pretty much ran this thing themselves and they experienced success. It was operational and they were problem-solving. Now they are ready for next year." E-mail jmrozowski@enquirer.com IN THE CLASSROOM This feature, which runs every two weeks, spotlights classrooms in our area.
Copyright (c) The Cincinnati Enquirer. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.
Record Number: cin93258046
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