Hundreds of second-year engineering students lined up in the Industrial Courtyard of the Centre for Engineering Innovation on Friday, November 20, waiting their turn to race uniquely-designed popsicle stick cars.

As part of a course requirement, teams of students from Bill Altenhof’s 92-210 Dynamics class were given two minutes per team to test their potential energy vehicles made out of popsicle sticks, common household string, carpenter’s glue, duct tape and standard sized CDs or DVDs.

“This exercise is an opportunity to expose students to practical applications of the principles of dynamics, and concept of mechanics,” says Dr. Altenhof, mechanical and materials engineering professor.

Using only the specified items, teams designed, analyzed and constructed vehicles no wider or taller than 50 centimetres, and no heavier than 2.8 kilograms. Each vehicle had to have a locking emergency brake and be capable of withstanding some abuse without damage.

As teams approached the starting line, a two-kilogram weight was attached to the vehicle, which acted as fuel to propel the car forward. The projects saw varying success, with some rolling at an angle, others staying stationary or toppling over.

Abigayle Diemer’s team, “Torquing Redefined,” saw their creation roll a short distance before toppling over. She says it was a challenging project and her team had known their vehicle was prone to falling over.

“We tried to fix that earlier on in the week but somehow it didn’t work out,” says Diemer. “We originally had it going 13 metres so it’s just kind of funny how things work out, you can test it 100 times, but when it counts, if it doesn’t work out it doesn’t work out—so that’s life.”

The teams will be graded on distance and mass, meaning the winning teams will have the lightest cars that went the farthest. This year, Altenhof says he added a bonus element. Students may boost their grade if they were able to accurately predict how far their vehicle actually travelled in competition.

See more photos from the day’s competition on the UWindsor Facebook page.

The Celebration of Teaching Excellence has established a great tradition, says Alan Wright, vice-provost, teaching and learning. He presided over the 10th anniversary event, Wednesday, November 18, in the CAW Student Centre.

“I think we have come a long way in 10 years,” Dr. Wright says. “I think we have come a long way in developing a culture of teaching, a pride in teaching excellence.”

Watch a video by producer Peter Freele of the Centre for Teaching and Learning:

Find a full list of honourees in the event program, as well as video profiles of several award winners:

• Veronika Mogyorody
• Chantal Vallée
• Dennis Fairall

The reception was hosted by the Office of the Provost and the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Actors consider their bodies as their instruments, and last week, a group of drama students thanked people on campus who help them keep their instruments in tune.

Billy Chandler, president of the drama student society Club SODA, led a delegation Wednesday to present complimentary theatre tickets to the staff of Athletics and Recreational Services.

“Most of our students have used, or frequently access the services offered by the athletics department and the St. Denis Athletics and Community Centre,” Chandler says. “They keep us fit, and they keep us happy. Sometimes, it feels as though they keep us sane.”

The staffers received free admission to the current University Players production, Scapino! Chandler says it is a thanks for services that would otherwise have students on their own.

“We all know how important our physical health is, but thanking those who help us work to maintain it, that is what we are doing today,” he says.

The play’s run continues through December 6 in the Essex Hall Theatre. Find tickets at www.UniversityPlayers.com or by calling the box office at 519-253-3000, ext. 2808.

Brightly-coloured T-shirts bearing the proud words “University of Windsor” across the chest are a featured item in the Campus Bookstore this week.

The V-neck style shirts are 100 percent cotton and cost $9.95—available in a selection of colours and sizes. Check them out in the Campus Bookstore, located on the lower level of the CAW Student Centre.