| The Engineering
Academy's six overall winners wrap up the week with volunteer
engineers in the Science Center's Sky Bridge at AASU. Front row
(left to right) Cristy Lawrence (Thomas & Hutton), Cameron
Kaminsky (Jenkins), Hao Pan (South Effingham), Katie Tanner (South
Effingham). Back Row (left to right) Randy Wiggins (Savannah Christian),
Dana Hornkohl (Chatham County Department of Engineering), Douglas
Faircloth (South Effingham), Paul Horst (Bradwell Institute). |
Engineering
Academy Doubles Enrollment,
Announces Six Overall Winners
Savannah,
GA—June 21, 2005—After an intensive week of mind-bending
competitions—Castle of Cards, Survey Safari, Bank Bomb Challenge,
Fabulous Filters, and others—six high school students emerged
as the overall winners of the Engineering Academy, held June 13-17
at Armstrong Atlantic State University. The winners were Cameron Kaminsky
(Jenkins), Hao Pan (South Effingham), Katie Tanner (South Effingham),
Randy Wiggins (Savannah Christian), Douglas Faircloth (South Effingham),
and Paul Horst (Bradwell Institute). These students placed first in
two of the week's competitions, and Douglas Faircloth singularly won
JCB's highly challenging heavy equipment lifting competition that
required the precise movement of a thin piece of wood.
"Going into the academy I knew I wanted to go into the engineering
field, but I wasn't sure in which field. Being able to explore the
different fields helped me make a decision," said Douglas Faircloth.
"I am looking at a career in civil engineering and plan to follow
the GTREP program taking my first 2 years at either Armstrong or Georgia
Southern." Faircloth says he plans to return to Savannah to work
as an engineer.
This year the academy boasted an enrollment of 38 students, more than
a 50% increase in participation in only one year. Other students who
participated in the academy were: Kenneth Alexis, Jr. (Bradwell),
Rashad Armstrong (Savannah High), Kevina Bland (Savannah High), Michael
Charlton (Bradwell), Jason Clayton (Bradwell), Brandon Covington (Johnson
High), Olivia Dubberly (Savannah Christian), Ernest Edwards (Beach
High), John Fischer (Liberty County High), Travis Gasque (Calvary
Day), Amy Gilder (South Effingham), Hannah Hogan (Calvary Day), Stakishawna
Howard (Bradwell), Yvonne Knight (Johnson High), Cheryl Lau (Jenkins
High), Gerald McCoy (Johnson High), Andrew McKeever (Jenkins High),
Derek McCurry (South Effingham), Justin Moore (Johnson High), Richard
Mullen (St. Andrews), Xiao Pan (South Effingham), John Polites (Calvary
Day), Austin Smith (South Effingham), Phillip Tyler (Jenkins High),
Ricardo Vazquez (Savannah Arts), Rafael Vazquez (Savannah Arts), Stephanie
Vine (St. Andrews), and William Vine (St. Andrews).
The main focus of the academy is career exploration. Held each summer,
the academy allows high-achieving students to try their hands at various
engineering fields. Each day is dedicated to a specific area of engineering:
civil, electrical/computer, mechanical, industrial/manufacturing,
and environmental. Local engineers provided introductory information
about each field, organized hands-on activities that illustrate some
of the basic principles of engineering, and led field trips to Georgia
Ports Authority, Savannah Electric's Plant Kraft, Georgia Tech Savannah,
Gulfstream Aerospace, JCB, and the City of Savannah Incinerator.
Participants were encouraged to consider engineering as a career choice
and to think about staying in the region when they graduate. Job openings
in all areas of engineering are plentiful in Savannah and throughout
the Coastal Empire. Average starting salaries for engineers is around
$45,000 nationally. Historically, there have been many more jobs than
engineers to fill them.
The academy is made possible through the generous support of the Coastal
Business, Education and Technology Alliance and the volunteer efforts
of local engineers, technology teachers, and university professors
and administrators. The following organizations played a vital role
in making this year's academy a success: Armstrong Atlantic State
University, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society
of Mechanical Engineers, Georgia Institute of Technology-Savannah,
Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah Electric, Coastal Empire Boy Scouts
of America-Learning for Life, Savannah State University, Chatham County
Department of Engineering, The City of Savannah, Georgia Ports Authority,
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Savannah-Chatham
County Public Schools, Effingham County Public Schools, Georgia Southern
University, Weyerheuser, Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company,
Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung, Savannah College of Art & Design,
and JCB.
In order to participate, students must demonstrate an 80 percent or
better average in their science, math, technology, and engineering
classes. It is open to all private and public schools in Chatham,
Effingham, Bryan, and Liberty counties. For more information about
next year's academy, contact Letty Shearer at shearele@mail.armstrong.edu
or call the engineering academy message line at 912.921.5999.
