First row: Tabia Gamble, left, and Vanessa Stone. Back row: Nicholas Kern, left, Ian Gaudette, Larenz Devaren, Anthony Panetta, Nicole Bureau.
Students in Questar III’s New Visions: Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) program, located at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earned scholarships at the 2012 Society of Manufacturing Engineers Presentation Contest.
The contest was held at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and was sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Chapter 20 Capital District & RPI Student Chapter S-141.
The annual contest requires local students to learn the capabilities of the college’s Manufacturing Innovation Learning Laboratory (MILL). Students then design a product that can be produced cost effectively at the facility. Seniors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute can choose to produce one of the high school students’ designs as part of their college course Manufacturing Processes and Systems (I&II).
Presentations were judged by a panel of educators, student and professional members from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Questar III STEM teacher Tammie Borland is exceptionally proud of her students and grateful to SME, the sponsors, and the judges.
“The students worked phenomenally hard designing innovative products that they presented with poise and confidence,” she said. “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of SME and each professional who supported this endeavor. I am especially appreciative to Sam Chiappone and Larry Ruff for having donated enormous amounts of time and expertise to organize and support this competition.”
Scholarships were awarded to the following high school seniors:
First place team, earning $600 prize:
Tabia Gamble, Vanessa Stone, and Larenz Devaren (Lansingburgh)
-Design of an illuminated drinking cup
Second place team, earning $300 prize:
Ian Gaudette (Coxsackie Athens) and Nicholas Kern (Schodack)
-Design of an eyeglass and contact lens storage case
Third place team, earning $200 prize:
Nicole Bureau (Schodack) and Anthony Panetta (East Greenbush)
-Design of a gear bank
Based on the overall quality of the presentations from the entire class, they were given a group award of $100.00 to be used to host a special activity for all the participants.
All of the student presentations can be viewed on the web at http://www.highschoolengineering.com/student-work.html.
