The HOUSTEX 2015 Student Summit, sponsored by SME, hosted 64 students and nine educators from seven area high schools at the George R. Brown Convention Center in February. This year’s summit aimed to introduce students to the advantages of myriad careers in manufacturing, with a focus on 3D printing and alternative energy sources.
Students competed in a virtual wind turbine challenge, where they designed their own turbines, which were then 3D printed on site and tested in a wind tunnel. While creating their turbines, students had to consider blade length, height, angle and number of blades. The team whose turbine produced the most RPMs won the challenge.
The top two winning teams came from St. Thomas High School in Houston. Their prize: a wind turbine test stand, valued at $600, to be displayed at the school.
“The Student Summit is an excellent platform for the next-generation workforce to meet the region’s many manufacturing companies that are actively looking to engage the students of today to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Pam Hurt, senior manage, SME Education Foundation.
Filed Under: Events, News, Turbines
