JUNE 16, 2022— A group of seniors at the Pal-Mac High School took their tech projects to the next level as they engineered creative devices which will benefit classes for years to come.

Among the projects designed were a 3D Printer, a downdraft table, and an automated cart. All three projects were on display in the high school's lower cafeteria.

The projects were a part of the Engineering Design and Development (EDD) class, which is taught by Marcel Jenette. Jenette says the prototypes were the culmination of four years of engineering technology courses alongside high level math and science classes..

The students began by identifying a problem. Next, they use the design cycle to go from start to finish,  and end with the prototype.

"Since the students identify the problem, the students really own the projects and become experts on whatever they are working on," Jenette said. "I am sure after talking with the groups the other day,  they showed their passion for the final outcome."

Did they ever.

Below we have information on each prototype and who designed it. A photo gallery can be found here.

3D Printer

LEFT TO RIGHT:  Jacob McClelland, Riley Lich, Andrew Gellatly

Team: Andrew Gellatly, Riley Lich, Jacob McClelland

PROBLEM: Did not have access to 3D Printer that could print high temperature, high strength parts

Gellatly said the group had to 3D print custom brackets to help line everything up. He added details is everything when it comes to designing a printer.

"The more precise you are when you're building it, the more precise prints you'll get out of it," Gellatly said.

Lich added the printer will benefit the school's robotics team, as they can use it to print stronger materials. 

Gellatly will be attending Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC), McClelland will be joining a union for Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), Lich will be attending Ohio Northern University to study Mechanical Engineering. 

Downdraft Table

LEFT TO RIGHT; Zach Johnson, Hana Premyslovsky

Team:  Zach Johnson and Hana Premyslovsky

PROBLEM: Too much sawdust on table

Premyslovsky said the project was born out of opportunity, after they were told of a used jewelry standing table that could be used for a project like this. The table has several holes in the top, and is connected to a vacuum that will take in the loose sawdust. Johnson says the table will benefit the wood shop classes.

Premyslovsky will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute for Mechanical Engineering, while Johnson will attended the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to study Physics.

Automated Cart

LEFT TO RIGHT: Matthew Adamson, Robert Kinsman

Team: Matthew Adamson and  Robert Kinsman

PROBLEM: Making sure teachers could get all their materials into the building safely

Adamson said he and Kinsman developed a software program to allow the cart to follow a teacher. He said the duo was not able to fully integrate full automation into the first version of the device, but it can be remote controlled and programmed. The device can carry 100 pounds and featured lights on it.

Adamson will attend Clarkson University for Mechanical Engineering, Kinsman will attend RIT for Mechanical Engineering.