COLUMBUS, Ohio – A team of 10 Ohio 4-H members earned individual honors at the 60th Annual National 4-H Engineering Challenge recently held in West Lafayette, Ind., for projects emphasizing engineering, science and technology.
Sixty 4-H members from 12 states competed in the event. These 4-H members represented about 350,000 nationwide who completed the projects in local clubs and competed in county and state contests.
Ohio team members and their contest area were: Josh Hutchison, Allen County, Aerospace; Anne Druesedow, Medina County, Aerospace; Katy Avers, Ottawa County, Bicycle; Joel Love, Stark County, Computer; Rick Mayo, Darke County, Computer; Aaron Hostetler, Hancock County, Electric; Jon Custer, Fayette County, Tractor; Dustin Harrington, Fayette County, Tractor; Susanna Schappacher, Fayette County, Lawn Tractor; and Gary Klopfenstein, Paulding County, Welding.
In the Computer cntest, Joel Love and Rick Mayo finished second. In Aerospace, Josh Hutchison was second and Anne Druesedow was third. Aaron Hostetler was third in Electricity and Gary Klopfenstein was third in Welding. (More results and photos are online at: http://4hengineering.osu.edu. Click on 2010 National Results.)
Other states that had at least one person who finished in the top three were Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Delaware, Maryland, Mississippi and Wisconsin.
Each contest included a written test on engineering and scientific principles related to the project. Depending on the area, most contestants either presented a technical talk or skillfully operated a vehicle.
Contestants and accompanying adults (including 18 Ohio parents and family members) spent a day on educational field trips at Purdue University and industrial sites nearby. Included were workshops in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Aviation Technology, and educational guided tours of Rea Magnet Wire Company and Fowler Ridge Wind Farm.
The event was conducted by Extension Agricultural Engineers, 4-H professionals and volunteers from participating states. Randall Reeder, an OSU Extension agricultural engineer, is the chair of the management committee for the event.