Winning parade design unveiled at Schulich School of Engineering

By Jennifer Sowa

The winners of the Science at the Stampede contest unveiled their design at the Schulich School of Engineering on July 2. Three months ago, the Schulich School of Engineering and engineering company SNC-Lavalin invited Calgary high schools to submit ideas for innovative ways to transport VIPs in the Calgary Stampede Parade. Design criteria included safety and creativity with special consideration given to environmentally friendly vehicles.

The winning team is from Forest Lawn High School: students Philip Au, Lisa Oberding, Bailiey Scheske and their teacher Joe Michaud. They designed a modified adult tricycle, which pulls a cart shaped like a butterfly with moving wings. Most of the production was done in the machine shop at the Schulich School of Engineering.

“The Schulich School of Engineering was pleased to support this contest because one of our top priorities is getting high school students interested in engineering,” said Elizabeth Cannon, dean of the Schulich School of Engineering. “All the contestants displayed teamwork and creativity, which are traits of successful engineers.”

“We are very proud of this contest and of the students who participated,” said Jean Beaudoin, executive vice-president of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. “It’s a great community event that introduces young people to the challenges and rewards of engineering.”

The team won a Stampede breakfast at their school for 1,000 people, VIP seats at the Calgary Stampede Parade and a trip to SNC-Lavalin to spend a day on the job with experienced engineers.The winning design was in the 2008 Calgary Stampede Parade on July 4 with Philip Au pedalling the trike and teacher Joe Michaud riding in the cart and waving to the crowd.

This was the first Science at the Stampede contest and it will become an annual event.