10/29/18
HAYS, Kan. – Teams from Fort Hays State University's Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association chapter placed in eight of 10 events at the recent International STEM Education Association regional conference in Branson, Mo.

Overall, FHSU took five first place awards, three seconds and three thirds.

“I could not be more proud of this group of young men and women participating and competing in the ISEA conference and TEECA regional competitions,” said Eric Deneault, assistant professor of applied technology.

FHSU took first in Live Communications, Transportation, Problem Solving, Robotics Challenge, and Photography Challenge – Color Splash.

“A dominant regional performance is a testament of their desire and determination to achieve success at the highest level,” said Deneault.

The competitors in the Southwest region were Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Wyoming, and Arkansas State University.

Results of the conference are listed by event.

Live Manufacturing
This year’s live manufacturing competition required students to design, engineer, manufacture, and present a bottle top opener. Each team had to draft the part files as well as the jigs and fixtures utilized in their production run. Teams were given five hours from start to finish to develop the most efficient assembly line with the highest overall part quality.

Representing FHSU were Danea Buschkoetter, Holdrege, Neb., senior; Jerry Hoffman, Hays senior; Michael Dick, Hays sophomore; Eric Prockish, Manhattan senior; Jack Heimer, Wellington freshman; and Vincent Evans, Galva junior.

Results:

1. Pittsburg State University
2. Fort Hays State University

Live Communications
This year’s live communications challenge was to develop a one- to two-minute video highlighting the misconceptions of STEM and how to combat them. Students had to produce an industry-quality informative commercial video.

Representing FHSU were Davin Smith, Assaria senior; and Buschkoetter.

Results:

1. Fort Hays State University
2. Pittsburg State University

Transportation
This year’s transportation challenge was to design, engineer and construct a double-acting, hinging bridge operating under hydraulic pressure and electrical power. Teams had 24 hours to complete the challenge, with emphasis being placed on over-span of the bridge and the maximum payload to be carried across the bridge.

Representing FHSU were Zach Peach, La Crosse freshman; Jesus Felix, Alma, Neb., sophomore; Dason Sweat, Minneapolis freshman; and Heimer.

Results:

1. Fort Hays State University
2. Pittsburg State University Team 2
3. Pittsburg State University Team 1

Problem Solving
This year’s problem solving challenge was to build a Rube Goldberg mechanism with as many simple machines as possible to move a ping-pong ball and a golf ball throughout the challenge. This challenge is a blind challenge and limited materials are not given until the start of the competition. Teams were given an hour and a half with the ultimate goal of launching the ping-pong ball a minimum of six feet in the air and having it land at the same time as the golf ball.

Representing FHSU team 1 were Blake Hinson, Great Bend senior; Fidel Mascote, Olathe sophomore; Smith; and Peach.

Representing FHSU team 2 were Devin Thomas, Russell senior; Joseph Raat, Plainville junior; Brady Hutchison, Hays senior; and Dalton Kraus, Halstead freshman.

Results:

1. Fort Hays State University Team 1
2. Arkansas State University
3. Pittsburg State University Team 1

Technology Challenge
The technology challenge is a quiz bowl style event.

Representing FHSU team 1 were Tage Rothchild, Superior, Neb., sophomore; Thomas, Kraus, and Hutchison.

Representing FHSU team 2 were Smith, Hinson, Raat and Mascote.

Results:

1. Pittsburg State University Team 2
2. Fort Hays State University Team 1
3. Fort Hays State University Team 2

Photography Challenge – Macro
Results:

1. Pittsburg State University
2. Fort Hays State University (Buschkoetter)
3. Pittsburg State University

Photography Challenge – Color Splash
Results:

1. Fort Hays State University (Buschkoetter)
2. University of Wyoming
3. Fort Hays State University (Dick)

Robotics Challenge
This year’s robotics competition was to design, build, and program a robot that could grab and transport different sizes and weighted balls from parts of the playing field into different locations within the playing field. Each location and ball had specific point values associated with the challenge.

Representing FHSU team 1 were Thomas and Mascote.

Representing FHSU team 2 were Jordan Sargent, Ransom junior; and Rothchild.

Results:

1. Fort Hays State University Team 2
2. Pittsburg State University Team 1
3. Fort Hays State University Team 1

“With such a strong regional performance behind us, we remain excited and optimistic about nationals,” said Deneault.

FHSU students will next compete at the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association national conference in Kansas City from March 27-30.