South Lenoir High School student Hunter Whaley reeled in the win for designing a fishing rod holder during a Lenoir County Manufacturer’s Association presentation ceremony.
Six area high school students in Project Lead the Way, a program for those interested in science, technology, mathematics and engineering, presented their capstone projects to a panel of LCMA judges Tuesday evening at Select Food Service.
While each was recognized with a Discovery Magazine subscription, Whaley took top prize, beating out his all-North Lenoir High School competition.
"I wasn’t really expecting it," Whaley, 18, said. "I'm kind of honored. … I feel great that I can represent South Lenoir in this way."
He used a PowerPoint presentation to explain two models — a prototype and a final product — to the judges. Whaley said he and his brother fish and often lose the catfish they try to catch.
The fourth-year PLTW students were required to find a problem and create a solution through engineering and design.
Whaley built a device that can be operated by hand or foot to set a fish hook.
"I learned the design process," he said. "We had a lot of problems with not having the right materials (and) by not having the right technique in welding. We had a lot of breaks, but we got it all tweaked out."
Whaley presented with four other North Lenoir students, while another was not present.
North Lenoir PLTW teacher Amanda Conner said her students have worked on the projects since January, finishing as late as Friday.
"They actually get to take it outside of the classroom," said Conner, who's worked with the students since PLTW's implementation three years ago. “It gives them their public speaking skills. They’re presenting to a panel of engineers or people in the workforce who can give them feedback. …"
The panel represented local manufacturers such as West Pharmaceuticals, Smithfield, Spirit AeroSystems and William Barnet & Son.
Barnet Plant Manager Randy Brown, whose company is a LCMA member, said they have a "significant interest" in the emerging engineers.
"Hopefully, we can share some of our experiences … and give these students appreciation for hard work, dedication and commitment to what they're doing," Brown said. "We as industry leaders can benefit from that going forward."
He said he was impressed with the students' recognition of consumer voices during the presentations.
Colton McCallister and Trey Morris, both 17 and a team from North Lenoir, distributed surveys about smart phone application interests before creating one of their own — complete with a school calendar, lunch menu, sports statistics and more.
"It's basically for everyone who goes to North Lenoir," said Morris, who has a general interest in engineering.
The pair learned the patience and depth of creating a product.
Dave Wilfong, LCMA president, presented Whaley his award, which included a pen, $100 bill and framed certificate to hang at the school.
"I think each and every one of the presenters did a fine job today," he said. "It was an excellent collaboration of work between partners."
STEM East was also part of the event promoting students interested in the STEM field.
Rick Rhodes, 18, said he learned a lot from his project where he built a bench for the North Lenoir campus.
“I learned that there's just so many possibilities that can be done,” said Rhodes, who transported one of an eventual 12 benches to the presentation site. “You just have to put your mind to it. If you want it, just go and get it."
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her at Twitter @jessicamorgan.
2013 LCMA Students Presentation
Colton McCallister and Trey Morris, North Lenoir
Rick Rhodes and Joseph Grady (not present), North Lenoir
Andrew Riley, North Lenoir
Hunter Whaley (winner), South Lenoir