WHO: Mercer University engineering students will be pairing up to compete against their fellow students to see who can build a “rubber band dragster” that will travel the farthest without losing parts. The winners, runners-up and the pair with the most creative design will receive prizes.
WHAT: The Rubber Band Dragster Mini-Design Competition requires Mercer students to build a dragster out of common office materials. Each group receives a packet prior to the competition that they must use to build and power their cars across the finish line. Each packet contains rubber bands, tape, straws, paper clips, and index cards. The dragster that crosses the finish line first without losing parts wins, if no dragster crosses the finish line, the dragster that travels the farthest wins. Each team has two attempts and takes the better outcome of the attempts.
WHEN: Friday, February 23, 3-4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Mercer University School of Engineering Building Room 210. Use the South Campus entrance, off Mercer University Drive.
WHY: The Mercer student chapters of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) are hosting the event in conjunction with National Engineers Week, Feb. 18-24. Engineers Week is a formal coalition of more than 70 engineering, education and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and government agencies. Dedicated to raising public awareness of engineers’ positive contributions to the quality of life, National Engineers Week promotes recognition among parents, educators and students of the importance of a technical education.
There will be many opportunities for video and photos. Media interested in doing interviews with students or getting still photographs or video should contact Mark Vanderhoek at (478) 301-4037 or (478) 952-5514.
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