Price Engineering to Host NFPA Fluid Power Challenge

WHAT:

Watch as 40 middle schoolers (ages 11-14) comprising a total of 10 teams will compete in National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) Fluid Power Challenge hosted by Price Engineering.

The teams will each have three hours to construct a fluid power mechanism they have been working on designing during recent weeks. To complete the task, each team will be supplied the same challenge event kit consisting of various wood pieces, corner gussets, wooden wheels, plastic tubing, and glue.

Each team’s fluid power mechanism will then be placed into an 11” square, surrounded by a 1” high by 1.5” thick wall. The goal of the competition will be to see how many objects the fluid power mechanism can pick up from one platform, rotate, and place on another platform in a two minute period without touching any part of the wall.

Engineers from Price Engineering will be judging the student team’s fluid power mechanisms and presenting awards in five categories – Overall Champion, Design Champion, Teamwork Champion, Portfolio Champion and Team Challenge Champion.

A team of non-fluid power related employees from Price Engineering will also be participating in the challenge alongside the students just for fun.

WHEN:

Friday, May 13, from 9:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
9:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. constructing fluid power mechanisms
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. testing mechanisms in the two minute challenge
2:30 p.m. presentation of awards

WHERE:

North Shore Middle School in Hartland
800 N Shore Drive, Hartland, WI 53029

The students participating in the Fluid Power Challenge were first introduced to fluid power technology at a one day workshop hosted by Price Engineering representatives in April. There, they learned what fluid power is and its real world applications. Over the past few weeks, the teams have worked independently to complete a design approach for the competition and portfolio which will also be used as part of the challenge evaluation.

Price, along with the NFPA, believes education is the foundation that will support communities, businesses and schools for years to come. Through the incorporation of hands-on education in the area of fluid power, students are introduced to real world science and math skills. The team structure helps students work together to apply their knowledge in creative ways and develop potential solutions.