WILLIAMS FLUID POWER CHALLENGE
FAY * WEST * GREENE
FLUID POWER CHALLENGE
In the Fluid Power Action Challenge, teams are asked to design and build machine that uses fluid power to move small objects from one location to another. Over the course of several weeks, students learn about fluid power with their team and experiment with the Challenge materials before competing against other teams in a timed event. Points are awarded for various objectives – including design, teamwork, portfolio, and of course, effectiveness of the machine built. Click here to see our Williams Fay * West * Greene Fluid Power Challenge photo gallery!
HOW FLUID POWER WORKS:
WORKSHOP DAY
On Workshop Day, teams learn about the basics of fluid power – what it is, how it works, and how it is used in everyday life. They also get the chance to learn about what careers in the fluid power industry are like, and how they can start pursuing those. Next, teams build basic pneumatic kits and begin developing the skills they’ll be using in the Action Challenge competition. They start working on machines that rotate and lift objects. Workshop Day wraps up by giving the students the Action Challenge problem – what they are actually tasked with doing at the Challenge. Teams are asked to build a machine that can move an object from one location to another, and are given all of the tools and a kit of supplies that they will need. Over the coming weeks, they develop a plan, and start building!
CHALLENGE DAY
On Challenge Day, the teams come together again and use the same tools and an identical kit of supplies to recreate their unique machine, which they use in the competition to pick up weighted objects and place them on various level platforms. Teams are judged on their portfolio, design, teamwork and total machine points. They can win in any of these areas! As the teams work during the allotted time, Challenge Judges observe the teams and interview students, asking them about how they came up with their design and how they work together as a team. When the time is up, the teams all gather together and put their machines to the test. The judges keep score as teams use their machines, seeing how many objects they can move in the allowed time.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Albert Gallatin School District:
• Albert Gallatin North •
• Albert Gallatin South •
• Belle Vernon Middle School •
• Brownsville Middle School •
• Connellsville Middle School •
• Franklin Regional Middle School •
• Greater Latrobe Junior High School •
Hempfield School District
• Harrold Middle School •
• Wendover Middle School •
• West Hempfield Middle School •
• Jefferson Morgan Middle/High School •
• Laurel Highlands Middle School •
• Leechburg Middle/High School •
• Mt. Pleasant Middle School
• Norwin Middle School •
• St. Johns the Evangelist Regional Catholic School •
Uniontown Area School District:
• A.J. McMullen Middle School •
• Ben Franklin Elementary/Middle School •
• Lafayette Elementary/Middle School •
• Yough Intermediate Middle School •
2018 Williams Fluid Power Winners: Harrold Middle School- Hempfield Township
JOIN FAYETTE BUSINESS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
The Fayette Business Education Partnership is a workforce initiative of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. If you are a workforce provider, business or a part of the education system and you would like more information on FBEP complete the form and we will contact you as soon as possible! There is no cost to participate. For more info email: info@fayettebep.org
Fayette Business Education Partnership
65 W. Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
p: 724.437.4571
e: info@fayettebep.org
