Fluid power challenge introduces middle school students to engineering

MCC grows training program for fluid power industry

Violet Morgan and Megan Phillips work to finish their crane before the finals of the fluid power competition begin, (PHOTO BY SUSAN SMILEY)

By SUSAN SMILEY

More than 110 middle school students competed in the eighth annual Fluid Power Challenge April 11 at Macomb Community College’s South Campus.

All participants attend the Butcher Center Middle School Science and Technology Center, a half-day STEM program that draws from four middle schools in the district. Fluid power encompasses hydraulics and pneumatics technologies. Both use liquid or gas to transmit power from one location to another.

Each team was given materials including wood, glue, and hydraulic apparatus to build a small crane-like machine that uses fluid power to move. Each team was given the same materials and the same amount of time to construct their crane, but the specific design was left up to the team members.

Once the cranes were completed, the teams participated in a final competition where they showed how effective their creations were at picking up small barrel-like pieces and moving them.

More than 110 Warren Consolidated Schools middle school students participated in the Fluid Power Challenge at Macomb Community College April 11. (PHOTO BY SUSAN SMILEY)

“They get two minutes to move these wooden barrels and score as many points as they can, but they are getting points all along the way,” said Chadwick Conte of Peninsular Cylinder in Roseville, sponsor of this year’s event. “The teams can get up to 90 points for things like teamwork, design, operation and their portfolio, which is like their overall plan for the project.”

The event is meant to introduce students to fluid power and engineering while teaching them about teamwork, communication, problem solving and project management.

“There are two open positions for every one person looking for a job in this field so there is a big void of talent in the industry,” said Conte. “Manufacturing is on the decline as far as being where younger people want to be so we are hoping to show the kids some of the fun things about fluid power while highlighting all of the different jobs that could be encompassed by the industry.”

With less than 20 minutes left to complete their cranes, the fluid power teams were in various stages of their build outs. Confidence levels ranged from “we are going to do awesome” to “we’re worried.” Everyone was intent on getting their crane built to perfection by the deadline.

Fluid Power Challenge participants were given materials and a specific amount of time to construct a crane to use in the official competition. (PHOTO BY SUSAN SMILEY)

“With events like this, we want to build an awareness of fluid power and hope that it will resonate with some students,” said Haley Nemeth, Workforce Program Manager for the National Fluid Power Association. “Doing the design and build, maybe someone will remember it in high school engineering class or will have an industry expert visit their physics class and they will remember doing this and consider exploring a fluid power career option.”

So many things that students see and use everyday use fluid power, which is something else events like the fluid power challenge emphasizes.

“Doors, adjustable chairs, garbage trucks, the brake system in a car, construction equipment like a jackhammer, spaceships, rockets, and  agricultural equipment all use fluid power,” said Conte. “The one that usually draws kids in is rides at the amusement park; they all use fluid power.”

MCC Associate Dean of Engineering and Technology Laura Thero said while the college has not had a stand alone fluid power program in the past, one will be in place beginning with the fall 2024 semester. Events like the middle school fluid power challenge, she added, help to spark interest in budding engineers.

“The engineering concept of designing and building something is going to transfer into something more math and science heavy later in life, but just the idea of exposure to a very hands-on experience in a field they may not even realize exists as a career option down the line is exciting,” said Thero.

Even for students who choose a different pathway, Thero said the teambuilding and problem solving skills developed through an event like the challenge can be translated to many careers.

“Regardless of if they end up in fluid power or in some aspect of manufacturing, the skills they are going to learn are transferable skills that will take them throughout their life,” Thero said. “There is just so much excitement from the kids.”