Concord-Carlisle High School students recently built hydraulic robotic arms as part of a capstone project in the school’s Mechanical Engineering course. (Photo Courtesy Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)
CONCORD — Concord-Carlisle High School students recently put their engineering skills to the test by designing and building hydraulic robotic arms capable of completing a series of precise challenges.
The project is one of two major design assignments in the school’s Mechanical Engineering course, a capstone class in the engineering program taught by engineering teacher Alexandra Kuchar.
Students worked in teams of two to research hydraulic arm systems, create designs using Onshape, a computer-aided design software, and build their projects in the school’s FABrication Lab. Each robotic arm then had to complete several tasks of increasing difficulty.
Those tasks included picking up an aluminum can and placing it in a different location, lifting a group of mini marshmallows and setting them down, removing a wooden piece from a Jenga tower and placing it on top and pouring water from one aluminum can into another container.
The projects were recently showcased during a “Demo Day,” where parents and guardians were invited to watch students demonstrate how their robotic arms completed each task.
“I was so impressed by the students’ work on this project,” said Co-Principal Brian Miller. “They put a great deal of thought and effort into designing and building their robotic arms, and it was exciting to see them demonstrate what they created.”
In addition to building the robotic arms, students completed extensive planning and research to support the final projects. This included studying hydraulic arm designs, creating project timelines, identifying materials and dividing responsibilities among teammates.
“This project asks students to move through the full design process,” said Kuchar. “They research ideas, develop a plan, build their design and make adjustments until the arm can complete each challenge.”
Superintendent Laurie Hunter praised the students’ work and the opportunities the engineering program provides.
“Projects like this give students the chance to apply what they have learned and see the results of their work,” said Superintendent Hunter. “It is exciting to watch them develop these skills and present their designs.”
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The hydraulic robotic arms hydraulic robotic arms are designed to complete a series of tasks. (Photo Courtesy Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)
The projects were recently showcased during a “Demo Day,” where parents and guardians were invited to watch students demonstrate how their robotic arms completed each task. (Photo Courtesy Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)