DSHS engineering students competed at the recent Land Rover 4x4 in Schools National Championship event. The challenge involves between three and six team members working together to design and build a radio-controlled four-wheel drive (4x4) vehicle to exact specifications. The vehicle must be able to successfully negotiate a specially designed test track emulating real life and it must perform as a full scale 4x4 vehicle would do in an off-road situation.
The competition embodies STEM, project and teamwork, with judging in the following categories: Innovative Thinking, Best Engineered Vehicle, Research & Development, Best Track Time, Best Portfolio and Pit Display, Best Verbal Presentation, Marketing, and Spirit
Dripping Springs was represented by two teams.
Turbo Tigers (Feature photo)
The Turbo Tigers were the defending U.S. National Champions and claimed the 2019-20 Championship at this weekend’s event. Comprising the Turbo Tigers are: Jason Fitzpatrick, Bryce Fitzpatrick, Colton Rhoades, Cole Scoot, and Dylan Rice. They also won the following awards: Best Innovative Thinking, Best Engineered Vehicle, and Research & Development.
PawXPaw (inset photo)
Also competing for DSHS, for the first time, was the PawXPaw team. the PawXPaw team finished second behind its DSHS counterparts. Competing for PawXPaw were: Sarah Bouckley, Brandon Richard, Cade Murray, Nickolas Enloe, Sean Nelson, and Ethan French. They also won the following awards: Best Track Time, Best Portfolio and Pit Display, and Best Verbal Presentation.
Both teams previously qualified for the 2018-19 World Finals competition to be held in April in Coventry, UK. In addition, competing yesterday also qualified both of the teams for the 2019-20 World Finals competition at a location to be determined.
