The 12-member Ohio team excelled at the 63rd National 4-H Engineering Challenge held September 29-Oct. 1 at West Lafayette, Indiana. The event had 55 youth from 9 states competing in nine project areas.
Here are the members, county, and the contest areas they competed in:
Clay DuVal, Union County, Aerospace
Evan Bell, Allen County, Aerospace
Steven Demmer, Stark County, Bicycle
A.J. Greenslade, Fayette County, Computer Software Engineering
Derek Gaier, Miami County, Lawn Tractor
Eric Glaze, Warren County, Small Engines
Chance Coil, Logan County, Tractor
Logan Bamfield, Guernsey County, Tractor
Melissa Finsel, Hancock County, Welding
Matthew Klopfenstein, Paulding County, Robotics (Remote Control)
Arlen Stoller, Paulding County, Robotics (Automated Control)
Alec Kuhn, Paulding County, Robotics (Automated Control)
In team competition, Clay DuVal and Evan Bell tied for first (with the Maryland team) in the Aerospace contest. The teams had less than 12 hours to design, build and successfully fire a rocket from supplies provided them. The rocket had to go up at least 200 feet to qualify.
In two Robotics contests, Matthew Klopfenstein won the Remote Control part of the contest, and the team of Arlen Stoller and Alec Kuhn won the Automated Control contest. VEX robot kits were used in the competition and the teams had approximately 24 hours to design and construct their robots to do specific tasks.
A.J. Greenslade won the Computer Software Engineering contest which required participants to design a mobile application using a mobile programming development language.
Melissa Finsel won the Welding contest.
Logan Bamfield placed second in Tractor which was the largest individual event with 11 contestants. Chance Coil was fifth.
Eric Glaze placed second in Small Engines.
Steven Demmer was third in Bicycle.
In the Engineering Bowl the Ohio team lost in the semifinals to eventual winner Illinois. This competition requires quick recall and in-depth knowledge of the 4-H project manuals and other references.
These projects which emphasize engineering, science and technology help youth explore exciting careers that are in great demand and with income levels well above average.
The team also attended educational workshops at Purdue University and educational field trips in Indiana to Rea Magnet Wire and Dixie Choppers (lawn mowers).
Lincoln Electric, based in Cleveland, sponsored the Welding contest. All Welding contestants will receive an AC225 welder. Landis + Gyr and Stuart C. Irby Company are other major sponsors. Funds for the Ohio team were provided by the Ohio-Michigan Equipment Dealers Association, Ohio 4-H Foundation, and the OSU Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept.
The event was conducted by Extension Agricultural Engineers, 4-H professionals and volunteers from participating states. Randall Reeder, OSU Extension Agricultural Engineer (retired), is the Chair of the Management Committee for the event.