Joel Leonard is the keynote speaker at this years MESNZ Conference in October. As well as his keynote he is visiting several local schools before the conference and running a special free student session on Tuesday 3rd October from 4:30-7:30pm at Fraser High School.
The student session will be an introduction to careers in manufacturing and engineering (details below).
During his school visits Joel will use his Thorminator program that is well proven in his home state of North Carolina.
Joel Leonard created the Thorminator Challenge.
Students are divided up into groups of civil engineers, mechanical engineers and forensic engineers. Engineering schools joke that civil engineers make targets, mechanical engineers make weapons and forensic engineers evaluate the mess.
The civil engineering groups get a piece of foam, 2 feet of duct tape, some other items and an egg. Their job is to create protection for their egg.
The smallest students in the class are assigned to be mechanical engineers. Their job is to hoist the 23kg Thorminator hammer and smash the civil engineer's egg protection. This forces them to team up and hoist the hammer together.
After the smashing, the forensic engineers evaluate the damage and determine if the egg survived the smashing.
The exercise involves approx. 15-20 students of age 12 years and up. Duration is 45 to max 60minutes.
This simple exercise gets the students to switch their thought processes into their roles and better connect with engineering functions while at the same time having fun. Fun is the most important element. Analysts have evaluated that students better comprehend lessons when fun elements are included.
Student session details
Special Session with Special Guest – Joel Leonard – North Carolina USA – introduction to careers in Manufacturing and Engineering.
• Pathways to both University, Polytech, and Apprenticeships
• Scholarship Opportunities
• Hands on look at the latest Engineering Tools & Equipment
• Chance to talk to real engineers and get your questions answered
• Free refreshments will also be provided.
• Introduction Session 4:30-5pm followed by the open exhibit hall 5-6:30pm
• Register at infomesnz@gmail.com
