SAUGERTIES- Saugerties High School senior Cameron France, who attends the Ulster BOCES Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics program, along with his classmate Connor Rhoades from Wallkill High School, is credited with creating a unique 3D prototype of a school bus door latch designed to ensure that school bus doors remain latched if they lose air pressure.
Greg Sillins, an Ulster BOCES bus driver and former software quality assurance engineer, approached the Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics teacher with an idea for a device. Sometimes, he explained, an empty school bus will lose air pressure, which may cause the doors to not maintain a tight seal.
When their instructor approached them about the project, Connor and Cameron jumped at the chance to tackle the challenge. This type of project-based learning helps students not only gain skills in their career field, but also develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It also increases engagement in the learning process as students gain insights into real-life applications of the skills they are being taught.
Over several weeks, using the knowledge they learned in class and two different model creators–called Fusion 360 and MakerBot–Connor and Cameron designed a device. They then printed their first prototype using the classroom’s 3D printer.
Cameron said that in total they printed seven different versions of the latch. “It was fun to test the products we made,” he noted. “But when our efforts failed, it was back to the drawing board.” The failures are where deep learning happened, as the students analyzed their issues and thought out solutions.
Connor explained that they adapted the device throughout the process based on trial and error, cultivating some of the most powerful learning experiences. “Figuring out the structural integrity of the device was extremely important in this project,” he noted.
Both Connor and Cameron said that this project inspired them to…
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