Tech Challenge 2009

The challenge this year was to remotely drop ping pong balls into the fire spewing volcano. The boys chose a helium balloon with a sophisticated set of propellers to control lift and direction. Separately they engineered a ball release mechanism to deliver the payload. While this year's entry was one of their most sophisticated to date that worked perfectly in rehearsals, on the day of the event a loose connection was ultimately their undoing. They did enjoy a moral victory after the judges left. Some last minute rework and a chance at a redo demonstrated the strength of their design.

April 27, 2009