interest to inspiration
Engineering student turns lifelong passion into career path By Heather Wainwright
“I have always wanted to know how things worked, for as long as I can remember,” said Wesley Haney, a sophomore mechanical engineering student at Mississippi State University. But Haney did not wait until college to satisfy his curiosity. After taking the Technology Discovery course in 9th grade at Amory High School, Haney knew what path he wanted his high school studies to take; he enrolled in the Technology Application course with instructor Jerry Larkin at the Amory Vocational Center, which shares a campus with AHS. In fact, special arrangements were made to allow Haney to participate in the course as a sophomore rather than waiting for his junior year like most other students do. Larkin, who has a background in industry and construction plus 10 years in education, recognized Haney as mature beyond his years and ready for the advanced course work. With Larkin, Haney studied mechanics-based engineering. He got to explore the workings of pulley systems, pneumatic machines and electrical systems. In Larkin’s technologydriven, interactive class, Haney’s understanding of math and science came to life. Instead of those subjects being “just numbers on a chalkboard, ... [the course] helped to engage me in something I was actually interested in.” That response is exactly what Larkin strives to illicit from his students as he gives them the chance to apply what they learn through handson experimentation. “If I can get them to think, then I’ve done my job.” In turn, students like Haney are motivated to explore
the principles of engineering. “Instead of longing for school to be over, I looked forward to the next day and what I would be able to create. And it taught me how things actually work in a job and team setting,” said Haney. To facilitate this exploration, Larkin’s students are introduced to the computer-aided design software SolidWorks. When he was in the Technical Applications class, Haney started using this industry-grade program with minimal instruction, and he credits Larkin with giving him the freedom and confidence necessary to develop his problem-solving and design skills using the software. “He showed me the basic information, and then he would let me take my ideas and run with them.” Through this iterative, hands-on approach, Haney mastered the CAD software, even how to utilize its finite element analysis tools, as well as the machining equipment that translated his renderings into 3-D objects. “Once I began to really learn the program, I realized the potential that CAD offered me in terms of design and manufacturing.” And Haney put that realization to good use, designing the most aerodynamic car ever produced in Larkin’s class. To provide an additional educational and experiential advantage for his students, Larkin has arranged a job-shadowing program with industry partner Concepts in Production, who also provides the SolidWorks software to the school. Haney took advantage of this opportunity as well. He worked alongside a mentor – an AVC alumnus – to expand his basic knowledge of CAD to real-world applications, tackling unique, complicated design challenges. The three years of engineering courses that Haney took with Larkin proved pivotal to his future. Taking CAD classes in high school gave Haney quite an advantage in his freshman engineering courses at MSU. “Not only did I have the knowledge, but I was proficient with the same software that the class was based on, which allowed me to get extra credit throughout the class with little effort,” said Haney. But even more than having a head start in the classroom, Haney believes that the ability to transfer what he learns in class to extracurricular activities is his most significant gain from CTE, for it is those opportunities that have further propelled him along his career path. As a member of the Technology Student Association at AVC, for instance, Haney placed first at regional and state
14 Connections Fall 2012