College-NOW Engineering Technology
Engineering Tech Degree
College-NOW is a two year program that allows high school juniors to enter North Central State College and Pioneer Career and Technology Center on a track to receive an associate degree in conjunction with their high school diploma.
This program has been developed to produce well rounded graduates who are exceptionally prepared for further education or for job entry. Students are exposed to authentic, problem-based learning opportunities provided by business partners or the students themselves. College-NOW promotes a fun atmosphere while providing academic rigor.
Engineering Projects
During their two years with College-NOW students will complete a number of engineering projects. Students work in teams led by a project manager, and in conjunction with engineers at North Central State College and/or engineers working in industry. These are some examples of their work.
The Arduino Bluetooth Robotic Car is a remote controlled car which has zero-turn capability driven by four motors. The students use an app on Android phones which allows them to communicate with and control their cars. Cars are equipped with head lights (two LEDs), tail lights (two LEDs), and a horn. An Arduino microcontroller is used to control the different electronic devices. The purpose of the project was to give the students a hands-on example of building an electrical control circuit to apply skills they have learned in their electrical classes.
Rocket Stove
Three of our College-NOW seniors will be headed to Malawi, Africa in December of 2015 to research and produce cook stoves. Their challenge is to make the cook stoves, also known as rocket stoves, more efficient, lighter weight, use local material, and improve the manufacturing process for the villagers of Malawi. Students are pictured below from left to right, Justin Leach, Carter Bishop, and Trevor Reed, with their prototype.
