IN Ross Township Summer 2018 | Page 45

Middle School Students Utilize Engineering and Teamwork Skills at Fluid Power Challenge orth Hills Middle School students claimed third-place honors during the NFPA Fluid Power Challenge. The winning team consisted of eighth-graders Emma Kim and Odette Sherk and seventh-graders Maggie Davis and Abby Thinnes. During the two-day competition, middle school students must work as a team to solve an engineering problem using fluid power technology. Fluid power takes two forms – Hydraulics and Pneumatics – and uses water or oil and air or carbon dioxide to create or transmit power. After a Workshop Day, students go back to their schools and design and build a fluid power mechanism using the same supplies as all other teams that will be used to compete in a timed competition. During the Challenge Day, students submit their design, build their machine and compete in the timed competition. The event promotes math and science education and allows students to be exposed to careers that involved fluid power and other technologies. Congratulations to Our PIAA State Medalists! S ophomore wrestler Sam Hillegas won his second PIAA State Wrestling Championship in the 126-pound weight class, and senior swimmer Kevin Lovasik earned a medal and placed seventh at the PIAA Swimming Championships in the 100 breaststroke event. ROSS TOWNSHIP ❘ SUMMER 2018 43