Students Return from International Science Conference In London
03-12-2017  |  Lansdale, PA
Eight North Penn High School Engineering Academy seniors in the Engineering Design and Development  (EDD) course just returned from their trip to London!

The students, Anthony Brigidi, James Drinkwater, Jason Ellstrom, Engy Khoshit, TJ Schmidt, Scott Schrum, Noah Wendt and Jake Yoder represented all 27 EDD students the the EDD classes at the International Science Conference at St. Paul's School in London.  This is the first time that a school from the United States has been invited to present their research at this conference!

The students spent their first few days in London experiencing the culture, learning how to travel The Tube (London underground rail system) and the rich history!

On Friday morning, March 10th, the North Penn students travelled to St. Paul's School to participate in the International Science Conference.  They were joined with students from 21 different schools in five countries: Belgium, Germany, Japan, USA and The United Kingdom!

The conference day opened with an introduction to the conference by Dr. Ken Zetie, Director of Outreach and Academic Partnerships, St Paul's School, London.  Throughout the conference, discussions were given by professionals from Hitachi, Deben UK Limited, Young Scientist Journal and the Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS).

Presentations (Talks) were offered throughout the day from ten different International student groups.  North Penn's teams of students presented their talks after lunch and did an outstanding job!  After each presentation, the audience could offer questions to the presenters and the North Penn students did an outstanding job fielding questions from the international audience.

After the talks were completed, conference attendees were given the opportunity to vote for the best talk and North Penn's NAS Tek team: Engy Khoshit, Scott Schrum and Noah Wendt won the best overall presentation award!  Awards were offered and presented by Gary Edwards from Deben UK Limited, a precision engineering company.

On Saturday, March 11th, the students travelled back to St. Paul's School to participate in an International Science Challenge. The students were split into mixed teams and had two different challenges they had to complete. 

The first challenge required the students to design, construct and test a device that will be dropped three stories.  It was judged on two characteristics: (1) Time it takes to descend.  The device that takes the longest time will receive the most points. (2) Accuracy.  The closest to the bulls-eye marker yields the highest points. 

The second challenge was an electrical challenge.  The students had to determine circuit values within an enclosed box utilizing only the supplied meters and power supplies.  A great time was had by all participants!

The rest of the evening on Saturday was spent travelling throughout London.  Before we knew it... it was time to leave on Sunday morning!

I want to say thank you so much to the North Penn Educational Foundation, the North Penn School District, the North Penn National Honor Society, the North Penn Student Government Association, the North Penn High School Class of 2017, the North Penn teachers and students, The Technology and Engineering Education Department and all of the donors on our GoFundMe page for their most generous financial support!  We couldn't have made this opportunity of a lifetime possible without all of your support!

Thank you very much!
Mike Boyer