THE
Hunger Games, page
VOLUME 52 ISSUE 23
1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Students experience real world engineering Chandal Geerdes News Editor
Over 100 students currently enrolled in PLTW (Project Lead The Way) courses observed National Engineer’s Week during the third full week in February with PLTW teacher, Dirk Homewood. “The purpose of National Engineers Week is to call attention to the contributions to society that engineers make. It is also a time for engineers to emphasize the importance of learning math, science and technical skill,” Homewood said. PLTW classes are projectbased, intending to supplement the curriculum taught in mathematics and science with a hands-on approach, and a majority of the learning is done in class. “The expectations for these courses are the same as others at Cedar Falls High School — you get out of the class what you put into it,” Homewood said. During the last week in February the entry level class focused on the design process using Computer-AidedDesign (CAD) to create many different designs such
as a puzzle cube, miniature train, train cars and other student-generated ideas. The other PLTW course explored simple machines, trusses, robotics, hydraulics, computer programming, projectiles and other engineering related topics. One four-person group created a pneumatic arm which uses compressed gas (in their case air) to extend and kick a ball into a goal. Students who participated in National Engineer’s Week got the feel of how engineers work in everyday situations instead of just in the classroom atmosphere. “The hands-on part really showed me how there is more to engineering than just what is on the computer. It was altogether a different experience from the normal,” junior Julie Doyle said. Students like senior Patrick Sesker really enjoyed being a part of National Engineer’s Week. “The best part of engineering week was having UNI professors bring out their portable ‘power tower.’ The power tower consists of multiple renewable energy sources. The tower is located on the NW side of the por-
table at CFHS and has both a wind turbine and a solar panel that create and send power to large batteries,” Sesker said. The professors came and explained how they utilize the power from the portable towers, all the possible careers in renewable energy, and what UNI has to offer in their engineering department. A lot of knowledge came out during this week for the students who participated. “I learned that the field of renewable energy is rapidly growing, and at the front of that growth are engineers. The pneumatic arm taught me that even basic pneumatics can be difficult to get to work together properly. If one part of the system didn’t release at the right time the function and performance of the arm was greatly affected,” Sesker said. The supplies for these projects were supported by the Cedar Falls School District, but since the PLTW classes have expanded there has been more involvement from the university, community college and local companies. The projects made during National Engineer’s Week will remain at the high school until other opportunities arise to utilize their resources.
Taylor Kainz Photo
PLTW teacher Dirk Homewood was interviewed by KWWL about CFHS involvement in National Engineer’s Week.
Seniors react to proposed UNI budget cuts Maya Amjadi News Editor
On Wednesday, March 21, the Iowa Board of Regents approved proposed cuts to the University of Northern Iowa’s academic programs. These included 22 majors, 20 minors and five graduate programs. Some of these degree programs were German, French, geology and geography. Also 10 additional graduate programs are being restructured. The cuts collectively take away the $800,000
budget deficit for all academic programs that was calculated for next year. For senior Samantha Gaffney, the ridding of German degrees at the University came as a surprise. “I was thinking of minoring in German, but [the cut] is not enough to make me switch colleges because I am thinking of going into business, and their business department is still strong,” Gaffney said. Although the cuts in education worry Gaffney because
they were unexpected, she understands the need for them. “Since the ones that were cut have a smaller percentage of students than other majors, it makes sense,” Gaffney said. The physics major was cut as well, completely changing senior Austin Schaub’s plans for higher education. “I was going to do their pre-engineering program in the physics department,” Schaub said. This three-two year program would have allowed him to complete three years at UNI,
two years at the University of Iowa and finish with a double major in mechanical engineering and physics. “Now if I went to UNI I couldn’t even dabble in engineering because they are cutting that,” Schaub said. He is likely to settle on the University of Iowa due the cuts. Schaub said he was talking with a professor at UNI whose major was cut and found out that they are keeping all but two required classes for the major. “How much money
can you save by canceling two classes? They (UNI) are ruining their own image. If you go to the UNI Facebook page, it is all hate comments.” Schaub also worries about which department will take the next hit. Senior Michaela Oehler is hoping it won’t be the theater department, which scarcely escaped the recent cuts. “I’m worried about future budget cuts. I’m planning to major in
Continued page 2