York College Engineering Studnets Help the Community
Posted February 12, 1999FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Engineers Week, February 21-27
York, Pennsylvania--York College of Pennsylvania Engineering Students are finding success incorporating learning with community service. This year for National Engineers Week, the students are celebrating both, the achievements of their projects, and the glory of helping others in the community.
Are you familiar with the coin operated vending machines that many grocery stores place at their entrance doors to amuse children? The most popular one is the plastic bubbles filled with prizes such as jewelry, candy, plastic lizards, etc. A non-profit company, established primarily to train and employ people with physical disabilities, is involved in putting these bubbles together (BY HAND). The company has experienced some recent financial troubles and the York College Engineering Program wanted to help. Students in the department were assigned a project to design, build, test and implement a Semi-Automated Bubble Assembly Line. The employees at the company are now using this creation, they have cut their work time in half, and have increased production. The students were able to gain educational experience, and at the same time help contribute to the community.
In another Engineering class at York College, they spent the semester building a model train layout, from scratch, on which at least two trains could run simultaneously. The completed track is 112 square feet with lavish landscapes surrounding the train. The train is now on display at a local library for children to enjoy during and after the holidays.
National Engineers Week, a consortium of more than 100 engineering scientific and education societies and major corporations, has helped increase public awareness and appreciation of technology and the engineering profession.
###
