Bethel Park High School students in Mr. Smock ’s Principles of Engineering Class were tasked with designing a “throw-back” project: a pinball machine.
Each machine could be themed to whatever the students wanted, but it had to have a programmable controller.
Themes included a baseball game, skee ball and a dunk tank.
The students also worked in teams to build an automated vehicle. While some teams built their vehicles for speed, other teams designed vehicles that could provide a convenient function, such as a dump truck.
The students enjoy the class because they like the creative, hands-on learning challenges. Many of them are interested in pursuing a career in engineering.