Jerling Takes Top Design Award in NFPA Fluid Power Challenge

A team of Jerling Jr. High students earned first place with their design of a hydraulic unit at the NFPA (National Fluid Power Association) Fluid Power Challenge on November 14, 2014. The Challenge was held at Harper College with over 45 local teams competing. Jerling Jr. High received one of the five awards given the day of the competition.

Teacher Judy Stellato’s honors science classes began working on their wooden hydraulic projects during class assigned workshops. This year the students were excited to use a 3D modeling software called Sketch Up to design and trouble shoot their units. Student Meera Alzoubi said, “I liked using Sketch Up to help build our project. Our team was able to research and troubleshoot our project before we even made it!”

In the weeks prior to the Challenge, the students worked in teams to design, construct and problem solve prototype units in preparation for the competition. The day of the Challenge, students reconstructed their projects using a new supply kit and notes with their prototypes remaining at school. The unit must meet all of the qualifications including successful movement of the arm powered by hydraulics. The Challenge supports STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum and encourages students to learn how to work as a team using problem solving skills.
This year Jerling Jr. High was represented by 48 eighth grade students. The winning design team consisted of students Andrew Carollo, John Cunningham, Dan Hickey and Mateusz Szumowicz.