Published: July 15, 2008 09:45 pm            

Students explore interests in engineering and science at Rose-Hulman summer program

Valley incoming high school seniors complete hands-on projects

TERRE HAUTE — Even though they may have come from Terre Haute, Clinton, Rosedale and Robinson, Ill., 13 Wabash Valley incoming high school seniors had a common goal this summer: wanting to explore their interests in engineering and science in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Operation Catapult program.

That’s why they designed and constructed electronic “smart” cars, embedded control devices, Frisbee throwers and simple computer games, and studied medical microbiology, genetic engineering and aerospace over 18 fun-filled days of problem solving, thought-provoking lectures, plant tours, intramural activities and insight about college life.

Now in its 42nd year, Operation Catapult is an education program that gives students an ability to complete hands-on projects in chemistry, electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, applied biology, civil engineering, chemical engineering and biomedical engineering. A total of 225 students from 38 states and China participated in sessions during June and July.

Jimmy Foulkes, a senior from Terre Haute North Vigo High School, came up with a creative solution to help his team develop a “smart” car that used infrared sensors to avoid collisions with other objects.

For the first time in program history, a five-inch diameter ball was used as the vehicle’s controlling device — providing omni-directional motion through a series of nine ball transfers.

“The ball [concept] allowed for freedom of movement in all directions,” stated Foulkes about the creative solution which resulted after several design concepts failed to achieve desired outcomes. “As with any science project, you’re never really done. The goal was to get as close as possible, while always striving to improve. There was a mad dash to finish the project on time.”

Also in the area of electronics, South Vermillion High School’s Caleb Nickels helped his team use embedded control technology — and two series of 15 LEDs — to design a Cowbell Hero game that became very popular with other students during the June session. Two game players were challenged to stop a randomly moving light on the correct target position to trigger the sound of a cowbell. Correct solutions earned 50 points, while 25 points were awarded for being one position away from the prized target.

“Through hard work, lots of wires and computer programming code, soldering, and trial-and-error, we came up with a great project that others seemed to enjoy,” stated Nickels. “It was very satisfying to see a project go from design to testing to a final product.”

The Clinton native and Foulkes were already quite aware of Rose-Hulman through participating in the college’s after-school Explore Engineering program, conducted throughout the school year. However, the students wanted Operation Catapult to learn more about different engineering fields and possibly decide on a major course of study in college.

“Operation Catapult gives you a good idea of the personality of college life and what’s expected of you as a college student,” stated Foulkes, who found a lecture in mathematics, provided by Department of Mathematics chairman Allen Broughton, particularly interesting.

“The program really broadened my view about engineering,” added Nickels. “I thought that electrical engineering was about programming and wiring. I see it’s a lot more and included things like electrical-based physics. Now, I’m examining career choices in civil engineering. I wouldn’t have made this decision without attending Operation Catapult.”

Nickels is planning to attend a similar engineering experience later this summer at Purdue University — hoping to make a final decision which college he will attend.

“Rose-Hulman has jumped to the top of the list, even though it was already a clear favorite,” Nickels said.

The Operation Catapult experience also helped Dylan Davis of Riverton Parke High School reinforce his college choice.

“Rose-Hulman is where I have wanted to attend my whole life, and I want it even more after this experience,” stated the Bloomingdale resident, who learned enough about the Python computer programming language to help his team develop a computer game that was similar to the old Pong arcade game, challenging two competitors to keep a ball bouncing between paddles on the right and left sides of the computer screen.

“I learned that something that looks simple take lots of work and product testing before coming up with a finished product,” Davis said. “I didn’t think we would get done … However, at the end, we made Pong, we’re cool.”

Davis’ friend, Brock McMullen of Rosedale and Riverton Parke, attended the July session.

Other Wabash Valley Operation Catapult participants this summer included Bhavishya Narotam, Lauren Prickel and Paul Wafzig, all of Terre Haute South; Zach Dunbar and Ty Wiggins, both of Terre Haute North; Jonathon Frendo and Caleb Rinard, both of Robinson, Ill.; Trey Thomas of South Vermillion; and Jeffrey Vermillion of Greencastle.

        

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