|
|
 |
LCSC engineering students take part in Interlink project
Students in the Lewis-Clark State College Pre-Engineering/Engineering Tech programs are joining forces with the charity organization Interlink Volunteers in Action to design and build a wheelchair ramp for a Clarkston resident.
The ramp design is a collaborative effort between LCSC students and was built by the students and other volunteers. LCSC's Physical Plant and Service Learning also helped with the project, which took approximately 5 hours to complete.
The project involves programs from both LCSC’s academic and technical programs and gives students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in class while at the same time providing a service to the community.
The engineering team consisted of LCSC engineering students: Yuma Jackson, Kevin Lee, Brian Schneider, Lawrence Petersen; friends & family: Rod Jackson, Bill Blair, Owen Blair; and foreman/supervisor from Interlink, Jim Hood.
LCSC Natural Sciences assistant professor Jenni Light and Technical and Industrial professor Jack Hutson decided to work together on this project because Engineers and Engineering Technologists often work together in industry and government.
Students from Engineering 220, Analysis and Design of Systems, performed structural and design analysis on the wheelchair ramp while the Engineering Tech students, in addition to design collaboration, developed the plan drawings.
Each spring, Hutson’s classes have taken part in interesting projects, including building catapults, self re-setting targets, and fly reels, as well as doing site surveys. The catapults were designed and built by the students and then used in class competitions to test them.
For the second straight year Hutson offered a new option to his students: an opportunity to collaborate with engineering students to design and build a project that also served the community. At the same time, the Pre-Engineering program has a new emphasis on service learning with Light, a first-year assistant professor.
Interlink Volunteers in Action, under the leadership of Ray Rosch, has been instrumental in building handicap and wheelchair access to homes in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley for residents who are unable or cannot afford to build the access. The organization will provide the materials to build the ramp.
For more information on the project, contact either Light at 792-2179, or Hutson at 792-2425.
|
|
