Students used rubber bands, Popsicle sticks and paper clips to build the best miniature catapult in the third annual High Performance Technologies Inc. (HPTi) Problem Solving Competition.
Seventeen groups of three students had two-and-a-half hours to build a "siege engine" or catapult that would bring down enemy "brick walls," which were made of Styrofoam.
Penn State alumni from HPTi and the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) hosted the competition. In the specified time frame, the teams had to submit a proposal for their catapult, "purchase" materials from an online store set up by HPTi and build the siege engine.
The participants scurried from room to room in the Information Sciences and Technology Building on Saturday, gathering various materials to build their machines.
"It helps [IST] students understand what they'll be doing in the field," said Keva Tranzor, IST event coordinator.
Marty Shoup, of HPTi, said the competition was intended to help students improve their problem-solving skills. He also said it is important that students learn to find creative solutions for any given problem.
"We came to see if we could win the competition and to see if our skills can solve the problem," Andrew Wolos (sophomore-architectural engineering) said.
Though the competition was targeted towards IST students, people from other colleges participated in the competition.
"IST students have to learn to work with people who don't think like them, have different backgrounds and ideas," Tranzor said.
After constructing the catapults, each group used their creation against a Styrofoam wall.
"This is a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon," Zack Gable (senior-information sciences and technology) said. "I feel semi-productive."
Allison Yau (sophomore-engineering), Katherine Trageser (sophomore- architectural engineering) and Saul Wecht (freshman-computer engineering), the first place team, went home with a $600 check.
The groups were judged based on their fulfillment of the requirements, their attack strategy and the effectiveness of their engine.
"This is by far the most exciting year," Tranzor said. "It's highly interactive and exciting for both the students and HPTi."
