Programs like the Fluid Power Action Challenge are made possible in part by the generous support of industry volunteers as well as NFPA Education and Technology Foundation and Pascal Society donors. Support these efforts by making a donation.
May marked the 13th anniversary of the Fluid Power Action Challenge at Milwaukee School of Engineering. Ninety-two students from schools across Southeastern Wisconsin (Golda Meir, Wheatland Center School, Bayside, Maple Dale, and a home school team) participated in the Fluid Power Action Challenge event at MSOE Kern Center.
At the Workshop Day in April, the students divided into teams and were given instructions on the competition. The students received a brief introduction to fluid power and learned about careers in the fluid power industry. The students also got recommendations from leading engineering experts in the field. After the workshop, teams had four weeks to complete their fluid power mechanical devices in class.
On Challenge Day, students make last-minute adjustments to their fluid power devices before competing against their peers to see which team could score the most points. Judges also conducted interviews of each team, evaluating them on safe working practices and teamwork.
Students who participate in the Fluid Power Action Challenge actively engage in learning about fluid power, and the program provides teachers with the support and resources they need for Science and Technology curriculum, creating a fun learning environment where science and math go hand in hand to encourage teamwork, engineering, and critical thinking. Teams were awarded trophies based on several factors: best portfolio, best mechanical device design, teamwork, and overall.
Congratulations to the Winning Teams
A team of Home School students (Nashotah, Wisconsin) was named the 2022 Overall Winner.
Bayside Middle School Team #6 (Bayside, Wisconsin) received the 2022 Portfolio Award.
Bayside Middle School Team #3 (Bayside, Wisconsin) won the 2022 Design Award.
Wheatland Center School Team #5 (Burlington, Wisconsin) received the 2022 Teamwork Award.
Special thanks to industry members who supported MSOE Fluid Power Action Challenge as judges, volunteers, and sponsors: MSOE Fluid Power Institute, Dura-Bar Corp, Force America, Poclain Hydraulics, Husco International, Milwaukee Tool, Gehl Corp, MSOE WE Energies Staff.
“I’ve learned a lot more about hydraulics, especially things related to pressure; the differences between hydraulics and pneumatics; and teamwork, as well.”
Joshua
“Fluid power is so amazing. I didn’t know how much fun it would be to work with fluid power, but now that I know, I can use it in other contexts, too.”
Peter
About MSOE We Energies STEM Center
Thousands of K-12 students visit MSOE campus each year to participate in various STEM programs and competitions. Located at 1444 N. Water St., The We Energies STEM Center at MSOE is Milwaukee’s premier STEM destination for K-12 students. Created in partnership with We Energies, Rockwell Automation, American Family Insurance, and Northwestern Mutual, the STEM Center enables students from any school—public, private, charter, and homeschool—to have access to hands-on, one-of-a-kind STEM experiences in Wisconsin.
If you are interested in participating or have questions about the Fluid Power Action Challenge, contact NFPA Workforce Program Manager Eric Pannell at epannell@nfpa.com or 414-778-3364.
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