Benilde St. Margaret’s engineering program is an in-depth, problem-solving, and hands-on class. From thinking of projects and creating layouts, to learning how everything connects, and enduring multiple trials and errors, BSM engineering allows students to be prepared for life outside of engineering class and pursue their careers.
At BSM, the engineering department consists of four levels– each developing projects, skills, and privileges in their own unique way. In Engineering One, students start off with basics such as legos and gears and build catapults, candy machines, and spinning tops. Although students do not have as much freedom to work on projects of their choice, it still teaches students the process of failing and trying again. “I really liked Engineering One just figuring out how things work. It’s more about the basics of engineering and getting concepts down,” senior Del Ghingaro said.
In Engineering Two, students are able to start choosing projects of their interest to build. Many also choose to learn technological skills, such as computer-assisted drawing or coding. Group projects started to become more prevalent, and the engineering teachers took a step back to allow for more independent work.
In Engineering Three, students work on larger, more complex projects they are passionate about for the entire year. Senior Sarah Rukavina and four others, including Erin Kocourek, worked together to build a robotic arm in Engineering Three last year. The idea behind this project was for people in wheelchairs to be able to do common things, such as pushing an elevator button. The group used a joystick arm which they then attached underneath the person in the wheelchair’s real arm. They coded and programmed the joystick to reach out by pushing a remote button. Rukavina worked more on the coding and wiring aspects of the project, while Kocourek spent her time controlling the design through the computer, and 3D printing all the essential pieces. “It was probably the most rewarding because it was kind of cool, and it was actually helping people,” Kocourek said.
The highest level of engineering BSM offers is Engineering Four. While level four students continue to work on choice projects, they also oversee projects, help Engineering One students stay on task, and make sure everything is running smoothly. Kocourek, who is now in her fourth year of engineering, knows the ins and outs of the department and has grown in her engineering abilities. “It is cool now that I am at the last level because I have seen the growth in myself and so many others over the years. I love the independence and special projects I get to participate in,” Kocourek said.
Students also have the opportunity to join the RoboCup team in Engineering Three and Four. The RoboCup is an international robotics competition taking place in Bordeaux, France, high school and college students are invited to participate. Many BSM students decide to jump on the opportunity every year to enhance their group project and individual constructive skills.
In this competition, each team comes up with a constructive robot that is placed through a series of challenges while a proctor monitors the robot’s time. The scoring varies depending on the robot’s strength. BSM was the only high school that signed up to compete in Bordeaux, which placed them at the collegiate level.
On off days in the competition, BSM students went out and explored the country. Students tried new restaurants, visited historical museums, went shopping, and traveled over to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower.
Senior Elisabeth McCullough ventured to Bordeaux with BSM engineering and loved the time she spent there. “We were the only high school team at the competition and we got 10th place… The RoboCup team is working on this year’s robot now and our team goal is to make it to the semi-finals,” McCullough said.
When asked what the best part of engineering was, many students emphasized the independence that comes along with the class, including choosing a project of choice as they grow in their skills. Rather than sitting in class and listening to an assigned lecture, engineering allows students to go in and immediately start working on their projects. However, since there are no hard due dates, students can fall behind if they are not working in a timely fashion. “As long as you’re willing to actually sit down and commit to your project, it’s great… Don’t join engineering if you don’t plan on doing things outside of the class. Engineering four students especially, we are expected to come here after school ends and over breaks,” Del Ghingaro said.
Engineering classes may be challenging, but BSM engineering provides students with lessons that can help students in their future careers. “I enjoy BSM engineering because there are a lot of cool opportunities that are open to a lot of students,” McCullough said.