Introduction to Engineering: Rube Goldberg Projects (with videos!)

Rube Goldberg Experiment 1

The Intro to Engineering class has done a few engineering projects over the course of this class, and over the past few weeks has been working on another project. This project required them to create a complicated machine that would perform a simple task that is done by people every single day, otherwise known as a Rube Goldberg machine. Now this can vary to opening a soda can, placing your keys in a key dish, or even turning on an appliance. Mr. Ahrenholz, the engineering teacher, has had students work on these machines for quite some time and they are nearing the ending stages and ready to perform the simple task.

Karl Ludwig, a sophomore, tells about his experience in the class, “I think it was the ideal project for the engineering class; they’re machines that challenge you to think creatively and colorfully while posing a design challenge as well. It is really a good way to work with the software while still being able to make something tangible as well according to your designs.”

Each group had a different idea for what they had designed for the machine to do. It ranged from a computer being turned on, to activating the light switch, to triggering a mouse trap. Each team has worked hard to achieve their goals in completing and successfully having the machine carry out the intended functions. Please click on the links to watch these experiments at work!

Rube Goldberg Video Experiment 2

- Andrew Thomas

Issue 8 Check it out!

Click the link to read our Issue 8!

Trevor Bartz: CCHS Internship with MSP

Here at Calvin Christian High School, students have to opportunity to perform an internship at a place of their choice, exploring the working world, networking, and developing real-life skills. Trevor Bartz, a Junior, is currently doing an internship at a well-known engineering company known as MSP. For his internship, he is shadowing workers at the company, including the people that engineer the product, the people that research the product, and the people that actually build the product. He says that the reason he chose this internship was because he wants to go into the field of engineering, and MSP is a place where he can get an introduction to it. He commented that he has learned that “engineering is a long process and requires a lot of work and communication with peers.” He also says that he is “currently enjoying it very much because it is interesting and it will be useful in my life.” Trevor will be at this internship until the end of the school year, though there is potential for Trevor to continue this internship throughout the summer.

- Ian Kreuger

Track at CCHS

As basketball season comes to a close, spring sports will soon be starting, with track as the headlining sport. After a year off from the sport, the students and new coaches are getting ready to have a successful season in what is the first year of creating a successful track program here at CCHS.

The upcoming track season features head coach Nick Herold and assistant coach Mark Beaver, who were teammates back in high school at North St. Paul High School. Nick Herold has attended Loyola University and Brigham Young University to run track and has been involved in track for a decade. He anchored the 4x100 relay team that won state and was named to the All-State team.

When asked why he wanted to coach track, Nick responded by saying, “The reason I want to coach track and field is to help athletes succeed. Whether it means winning a race or beating a personal record, as a coach, seeing athletes succeed both on the track, and in life, is one of the best things a person could be a part of.”

The coaches are looking forward to reviving the Calvin track program and are hoping to start building a strong program over the next couple of years. Nick’s expectations for this year are these: “My main expectation is that every athlete arrives at practices and track meets with the desire to better themselves and continually seek improvement. God has given us all certain talents, He expects us to develop those talents, and His expectation applies to all areas of life, including track and field.”

The coaches are looking forward to having fun this season and if you enjoy running, you are encouraged to join the team!

-- Nathan Bonnema

Issue 7

Check it out!

Issue-7

CCS Gala

Coming up in just a couple of weeks is the CCS Gala, an auction fundraiser for the school. The gala is an evening that includes both a silent and live auction, as well as dinner and a show from comedian and speaker Ken Davis. Among the items being auctioned off are a vacation in Mexico and a ride-along with a police officer and his dog during a night shift. As students, we have the opportunity to work at the gala to gain money for our trip accounts, and we will be greeting, helping out during the silent auction, and doing whatever else is needed during the gala. The silent auction will be held before the meal and will be full of various items ranging from sports tickets and memorabilia to gift baskets.
This year, the silent auction is going to involve the use of technology. The bidders will place their bids using some sort of tablet or smartphone, and the hope is that this ease of bidding will encourage items to sell at a higher price. The live auction features an experienced auctioneer who, of course, talks really fast. The gala is sure to be both a great time and a great fundraiser for our school.

-- Nathan Bonnema

Conflict in Mali

Throughout the past few weeks Islamist terrorists and Mali rebels have been pressing their way south through the countryside of Mali, only to be stopped by the French. They got as far as the city of Diabaly, only 300 miles away from the capital itself. Thanks to French intervention though, the city was not held for long. The French were able to send air strikes that struck their ammunition and equipment, thus forcing the rebels to flee the city. Before this all took place, there was the overthrowing of the Mali government by the Tuareg rebels. They wanted the independence of northern Mali in the region called Azawad.  This led to one event after the next, escalating to include terrorists. There have been rumors and evidence that al-Quim, the Afghanistan terrorist group, have been the ones behind all this conflict in Africa, including the recent attack on the Algerian Gas Plant. With Northern Africa being so prosperous in gas and oil, these recent conflicts could greatly damage the world economy, which is one of the reasons why the French have decided to intervene  Only time will tell what will happen next. 



- Gabe Modder