Soapbox derby lathers campus

Seven-hundred and ninety feet of the walkway between Old Main and McAllister Building were transformed Saturday into a high-speed raceway where spectators saw everything from a carrot-shaped racer to a Batmobile replica speed by them.

The event was sponsored by the Envisioneers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Engineering Coalition of Schools for Excellence in Education and Leadership and held in conjunction with the College of Engineering Open House.

The goal of the program was to allow students to apply engineering principles outside of the classroom and solve real problems, said Chris Sandvig, Nittany Newtonian Invitational team leader.

"We are doing this to allow students and engineering societies to learn from a hands-on process," Sandvig said. "What works in the classroom is not necessarily what works outside (the classroom)."

The Institute of Industrial Engineers went undefeated in its four races and took first place with its traditional wooden design. The society was awarded with $400 and each team member was granted an additional $50 gift certificate to the Penn State Bookstore.

"It was a team effort on everything," said Institute of Industrial Engineers team member Kent Phillips. "We wanted to build something that was narrow, streamlined and fast."

One of Phillips' teammates said he was proud of the team's success.

"It feels good," Mike Maxeiner said. "We had our goals and we showed that our design works."

Second place was won by the American Nuclear Society whose car was described by one spectator as a kayak with wheels. For its efforts, the society was awarded $200 and team members each took home $35 gift certificates to the bookstore.

What seemed to be the crowd's favorite design, constructed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, took third place. Named "Peeler" for its carrot shape, orange color and green stem, the design's originality had many spectators cheering it on and taking pictures.

The society was awarded $200 and team members received $15 gift certificates.

"The shape of it reminded us of a carrot so we bought some orange paint," said AMSE team member Steve Porter. "We concentrated on the design first, the bearings and stability; no one else here has suspension so we have that edge."

Pi Tau Sigma, an honorary mechanical engineering fraternity, took fourth place with its sleek design resembling the Batmobile.

The event was described as a success by all those involved and was appreciated by those in attendance.

"It was really fun to watch all the cars," said Penni Moist (sophomore-recreation and parks management). "It amazes me that they took all the time out of their classes to design and race (the cars)."

Another student said she was surprised by what she saw.

"I really like the creative designs," said Karey Schuckers (sophomore-advertising). "I wasn't expecting to see carrots roll down the sidewalk today."