Students to marvel at engineering advances 
By Martha Thorn 
Trident Feature Editor

Remember the childhood chant, "London Bridge is Falling Down?"

Bridges and planes are expected to collapse at the Naval Academy this weekend. Popsicle stick bridges and paper airplanes, that is.

About 130 high school students will test their engineering skills in contests Saturday as part of the academy's celebration of National Engineer's Week.

The students, representing five local high schools, will build Popsicle stick bridges, paper airplanes, electric boats and a "mousetrap" car.

Judging by the past couple of years, Maj. Kevin M. Shea, coordinator of the academy's National Engineer's Week, expects the students to introduce some innovative designs.

For example, the Popsicle stick bridges entered in the competition weigh less than a pound. However, their maximum load as measured by their "peak load to weight ratio at the point of failure" has reached as high as 300 pounds, according to Shea.

"Last year's winning bridge handled a maximum weight of 201 pounds," he said.

Electric boat race organizers challenge the contestants to use engineering innovation to win in their race against the clock. "There is nothing to stop you from conducting your own research and development to take your boat to the next level," the rules say.

Shea said the fastest boats take only two or three seconds to cover a distance of __________. One prize is awarded to the fastest boat. Another goes to the boat that demonstrates the most innovative naval architecture.

Paper airplanes will be judged by their flight time. In the newest contest, "The Great Mousetrap Powered Car," students will build a vehicle powered by a standard sized mousetrap. The vehicle that travels the greatest linear distance wins.

Contest registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday in Rickover lobby with the contests taking place throughout the morning. Navy Capt.Douglas Rau, director of the division of engineering and weapons, will speak at the awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m.

In addition to the competitions, visitors can look at static displays and demonstrations on the Rickover lab deck. Displays include a racecar, submarine, bionic ear, robotic arm and electric gun.

"Midshipman research is ongoing," Shea said. "They don't just sit in class. They work on things."

Midshipmen, faculty and staff can also view some static displays Monday through Feb. 28 along the lower deck hallway of Michelson and Chauvenet.

The week also features two lectures. Rear Adm. Kathleen K. Paige, technical director of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, will speak at a Society of Women Engineers luncheon at noon Wednesday in Rickover 102.

The Raouf lecture is scheduled for noon Thursday in Rickover 102. Professor Lew Nuckols and Lt. Cmdr. Rich Schoenwiesner of the naval architecture and ocean engineering department and Midns. 1/C Jim Vandevoort and Doug Raineault will talk about "The Re-Invention of David Bushnell's Turtle."

They will outline the academy's involvement in the making of a one-hour Discovery Channel documentary on the design and operation of this Revolutionary War submersible. They will talk about the reconstruction of the 'Turtle' and the re-creation of its historic undersea warfare mission during the American Revolution.

"By understanding the roots of submarine warfare and unlocking the mysteries of the past, we can sometimes open the windows of the future," Shea said.

Organizers of the week's events hope to get high school students excited about engineering and expose them to the academy's engineering facilities.

"If the U.S. is to remain a leader in the realm of technology, we have to get bright young men and women interested in studying engineering, math and science or else we risk falling behind," Shea said. "Of course, we would also like them to consider a military career, but getting them interested in engineering, math and science is the goal."

Organizers also want to emphasize the importance of engineering to the midshipmen. Shea said warfare is getting more complicated and an understanding of technology and its capabilities and limitations will benefit the midshipmen as officers.

Shea particularly recommends the event to plebes and firsties. Since the plebes will be choosing majors soon, he wants them to take a hard look at the opportunities available to them should they choose an engineering, math or science major.

He wants them to give these majors due consideration. Likewise, he wants the firsties to see the tremendous opportunities that await them.

Event sponsors include the academy's chapters of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

The week is funded by Procter & Gamble.