The challenge for students at the recent Engineering Wars in Rome was to build mechanisms to launch metal spheres as far as possible, but it was the skills students practiced during the process that were the real goal.
Two team of Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Valley Pathways in Technology Early College High School students competed in the Engineering Wars.
“The students had to work together as a team to problem solve, with communication being the highest priority,” Herkimer BOCES VP-TECH Coordinator Rebecca Roberts said. “In addition to solving the task at hand, they had to show creativity and be able to present on their Rube Goldberg machines. They were not only able to show off their technical skills, but their soft skills were also on full display.”
Students from 10 schools from across the state participated in the second annual Engineering Wars on Friday, Oct. 14, at Innovare Advancement Center in Rome. Trenton Technology Inc. designed the challenge for the competition and provided a panel of judges.
Herkimer BOCES VP-TECH sent both a seniors team and a freshmen team. Students competed in teams of four.
The VP-TECH seniors were Central Valley Central School District student Mark Hanshaw, Herkimer Central School District student Dominick Hutchins, Central Valley Central School District student Cole Dowling and West Canada Valley Central School District student Lucas Wesseldine.
The VP-TECH freshmen were Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District student Theresa Delong, Dolgeville Central School District student Kaden Kleist, Dolgeville Central School District student Cayleigh Youker and Herkimer Central School District student Cooper Jordan.
VP-TECH focuses on technology, project-based learning and real-world work situations. Students can spend four to six years in the program to earn a Regents diploma, a certification in advanced manufacturing, connections with local businesses and a no-cost associate degree from Herkimer College in quality assurance, networking, business or electrical engineering technology.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Valley Pathways in Technology Early College High School seniors work together at the Engineering Wars on Friday, Oct. 14, at Innovare Advancement Center in Rome. From left: VP-TECH seniors Central Valley Central School District student Cole Dowling, West Canada Valley Central School District student Lucas Wesseldine, Herkimer Central School District student Dominick Hutchins and Central Valley Central School District student Mark Hanshaw.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Valley Pathways in Technology Early College High School seniors work together at the Engineering Wars on Friday, Oct. 14, at Innovare Advancement Center in Rome. From left: VP-TECH freshmen Herkimer Central School District student Cooper Jordan, Dolgeville Central School District student Kaden Kleist, Dolgeville Central School District student Cayleigh Youker and Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District student Theresa Delong.