Teams from Southern California had the opportunity to participate in this year’s NASA’s JPL Invention Challenge against each other. The event was hosted by Manual Arts high School on Saturday, November 19, 2011. This year’s challenge was “Kick the Can Contest” This challenge consisted of teams constructing devices that fit in the limited height of 2 meters and had to be capable of kicking a standard sixed football over a 2 meter high wall that would be located 5 meters away. Since there are only a few rules to this challenge teams are motivated to be creative, design and build devices. This competition also allows students to experience and go through the difficulties an engineer would go through when designing and constructing a device that meets a goal.
This competition isn’t only a learning experience for the students participating in it. It is a learning opportunity to the students helping to host this. They take part in every aspect to make this event possible. We have students who focus on getting the area set for the teams to set their devices; others get the signs up to welcome and direct the guests and participants. We also have people in charge of administration they get the scoring system set up and award the judges in the end for their outstanding performance that day. |
