CONESTOGA COLLEGE
National Engineering Month celebrated with hands-on activities

Students built rockets out of everyday materials at one of the fun competitions during National Engineering Month, marked every March to celebrate engineering, innovation and problem-solving.

The events were hosted by the Conestoga Engineering Society and Student Ambassadors to give all students the chance to join hands-on activities, compete in challenges and connect with other students while learning about engineering.

"These are just fun projects every week that you can come and enjoy," said Zoe Talbot, student in the Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Systems Engineering degree program and Engineering Student Ambassador.

Conestoga was the first college in Ontario to offer fully accredited engineering degrees. Graduates meet the education requirements to become professional engineers.

The activities - including an egg drop design challenge and Lego engineering competition - were fun, but also a chance for students to broaden their learning by putting it into action. Students joining the rocket challenge held at the Cambridge - Fountain Street campus on March 24 could make use of a host of supplies including plastic cups, elastics, paperclips, straws, tape, wooden sticks, glue, toothpicks, cotton balls and paper to create an object with the aim of having it fly the furthest distance.

"I love seeing students being able to explore what they've learned in a hands-on setting," Talbot said. 

The table loaded with colourful supplies drew the attention of Hannah Whiting, a student in the Welding Engineering Technology - Inspection program, and Eli Makynen, in the Manufacturing Engineering Technology - Welding and Robotics program.

The pair had some spare time between classes and decided to try their hand at making a rocket. Their game plan: "Make something cool," Makynen said. "I basically got a cartoon idea of a rocket in my head and went with it."

Their invention - the notable features being a cone-like shape and fins fashioned with paper over the plastic cup then topped with toothpicks for a formidable point - was able to get airborne.

Amanda Moreira, who is in the Bachelor of Interior Design degree program, helped to run the event as a Student Ambassador, but she couldn't resist trying to fashion her own rocket. Foil and balloons were the unique features of her invention.

"I didn't actually know you could make a rocket like this," Moreira said.

Exploring different materials and construction techniques was all part of the fun and learning. The table quickly filled with an array of entirely unique rockets, all tested to see how well function matched form.

"People can be so creative with it and there are no rules," Moreira said. "Every single one is different."

Active learning is incorporated into all engineering programs at Conestoga, including project-based learning, co-operative education, applied research opportunities, case studies and capstone projects. This allows students to apply theory to practice during their studies and results in graduates who are better prepared to begin their careers.  

Conestoga's School of Engineering & Technology offers a comprehensive suite of engineering and technology programs with a wide range of credentials from one-year certificates and three-year advanced diplomas, to graduate certificates and degrees. Program clusters include Architecture, Civil, Construction, Electrical, Power, Energy, Electronics, Cyber, Computer, Environmental, Interior Design, Mechanical, Packaging, Woodworking and Welding.  

Learn about all the programs offered at conestogac.on.ca/engineering-and-technology/programs.