Wilkes University Student in College of Science and Engineering, Coletta Rempe of Scranton, Pa., 18504 Presents Senior Project

2018 May 9

Wilkes University mechanical engineering student, Coletta Rempe of Scranton, Pa., 18504, presented a senior project on April 28. The event was attended by faculty, friends and family. Engineering students in the University's College of Science and Engineering are required to complete a senior project as part of the requirements to complete their degrees.

Rempe's project was entitled, "Ping Pong Ball Cannon." With science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) becoming more prevalent in classrooms today, and with the inclusion of engineering practices in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), instructors are looking for more tools or examples that engage students and peak their interest. This ping pong ball cannon gives students a way to visualize the concepts they are taught, and also provides an engaging way to perform experiments and collect data. The goal of the cannon is to provide the demonstration of forces that act on a ping pong ball while in flight including drag, lift, gravity, and Magnus force. Rempe worked with faculty advisor Edward Bednarz, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.