This year Park City High students took top honors at Weber State University’s Design/Build Engineering Technology Competition. The competition challenges students to strengthen leadership and integrated STEM skills.
Keifer Maples, Hunter Mullen, Carl Prior, Ethan Routledge, Kenneth G Russel, and Parker Olson placed first in Architectural Design. PCHS architectural design teams made a tremendous effort this year and groups spent many hours after school in the class lab and in meetings with local architects and builders to prepare for this event. Students had to convert two 40-foot shipping containers into a tiny house and showcase the entire design build process. The team developed a complete set of architectural plans and constructed a physical and computer-generated model to accurately depict their design.
Hunter Way, Graydon Russell, and Will Watkins placed second in Engineering Design. This year’s theme was to “engineer the tools for scientific discovery.” The team designed a portable testing chamber where objects could be placed inside the core so various environmental factors could be applied to the part in a controlled setting for data collection and non-destructive testing.
Russell also placed second in Music Production. The challenge was to create a piece of music for the Technology Student Association national conference event ceremony. He composed a complete musical masterpiece using a keyboard, online composition tools, and garage band software. His piece, “The Eagle,” told the story of the Apollo 11 launch and journey, using the original launch countdown sequence from 1969 to open the composition.
Will Watkins placed third in the Future Technology Teacher competition. He presented a home-aid lesson on 3D printing accompanied with handouts, manipulatives, guided notes, and other study tools. He was well prepared to teach and answer questions from his panel of judges pertaining to his lesson. Watkins has been a huge asset to the PCHS engineering program,
Mercedes Howard placed third in Photographic Technology. This year’s theme was, “The Battle Between Nature and Technology—Who Wins?” Howard created a portfolio of images and a resume to be entered into the semifinalist round. This was PCHS’s first year competing in this event where students demonstrate understanding and expertise in using photographic imaging technology processes to covey a message based on the theme.
“We are so proud of all our CTE students who competed. This was a great experience and we are excited for future competitions,” said teacher Jordan Ulrich.