Download 2011 Michigan Tech Undergraduate Expo PDF

Undergraduate
2011
407
Lego Model of an Atomic Force
Microscope
408
Underwater Remotely Operated
Vehicle (ROV) Engineering
409
Learning thru Electric Go-Kart and
Underwater Robot Projects
Utica HSE team focuses on how and what they
are learning as they work on STEM projects.
Students explain the atomic force microscope
model to a Chassell teacher.
School
Chassell High School, Chassell, Michigan
Advisor
Mary Markham
Sponsors
Michigan Tech Department of Engineering
Fundamentals and the Nanotech Innovations
Enterprise
Project Overview
Students improve their Lego NXT model of an
atomic force microscope (AFM), based on the work
done by the Nanotech Innovations Enterprise. To
better represent the AFM, students will construct
a stand-alone laser system that uses photo diodes
to create a three-dimensional image. To create this
image, students will design a computer program to
properly translate information.
One of the many ROVs built by the Traverse
City Central HSE team explores the local
marine environment.
School
Traverse City Central High School,
Traverse City, Michigan
Advisors
Keith Forton, Traverse City Central Senior High;
Than Dykstra, Traverse City East Middle School;
and Norton Bretz, Three Lakes Association
Sponsors
National Science Foundation, Square One
Education Network, and Traverse City Area Public
Schools
Project Overview
Currently little opportunity exists for engineering
projects in the marine environment, especially at
the high school level. The marine and sub-marine
environments truly offer unique engineering
challenges that are not addressed in the terrestrial
world. Goals include 1) Increase the use of
technology into the ROV system and building
process; 2) Design, engineer, build, and evaluate
an ROV that is capable of reaching a depth of 200
feet; and 3) Provide a service utilizing ROVs to
the surrounding community. It is the vision of this
project to create a unique engineering challenge
that will allow students to put science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into practice
within the engineering processes.
School
Utica Community High School, Utica, Michigan
Advisor
Geoffrey Clark
Sponsor
National Science Foundation
Project Overview
The electric go-kart project focuses on increasing
ergonomics, safety, practicality, and visual appeal
(fiberglass shell and cabin optimization). The
underwater robot project implements electronic,
programmable control of the robot to participate
in the Great Lakes Regional Marine Advanced
Technology Education (MATE) competition. The
team’s overall goal is to record student learning
through a yearlong project that develops an
interest in the engineering fields—through research
and development, oral presentations, hands-on
projects, and personal learning journals.
34 • Undergraduate Expo 2011