It wasn't the ending that Logan Shields and Matthew Wassil wanted, however, these two Pioneer freshman STEM students gave it all they could in the 2023 Range Resources STEM Design Challenge.
As our community is well aware, Range Resources conducts a significant amount of work on well sites, including while existing wells are flowing. Ongoing work, such as drilling, while existing wells are flowing is known as Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS). Simultaneous Operations on a well site require many additional safety procedures and processes, one of which is the protection of wellheads from the equipment being used nearby. The protection of a wellhead from falling equipment is accomplished by covering the wellhead with a structure, referred to as a Cage.
This year's challenge was to design and build a scale model of a wellhead Cage, utilizing a kit of limited materials (supplied by Range), capable of withstanding a scaled impact load typical of what a full-size cage could be exposed to. The designs were tested to failure at Range Resources World Headquarters in Southpointe. Judging was based on how well each Cage performed, the creative design process, engineering principles utilized, and a presentation describing the intent of the design.
Matthew and Logan's presentation scored the highest of all high school submissions, which gave them a comfortable lead heading into the testing stage of the competition. The students incorporated a design that incorporated the process of laminating their balsam wood and cutting it into strips. This added additional strength by preventing a single crack formed from impact from splitting and spreading throughout the entire beam. This is the same principle that builders use when installing pressed wood beams versus solid wood beams.
Mr. Armstrong worked with the students to determine the estimated amount of force their design could withstand by calculating the potential energy and impact resistance.
Ultimately, one of the two designs survived the initial drop. The weight utilized was the same as the weight that was practiced from the same drop distance at school during the design/testing prior to submission, however, the form of the weight is what caused the damage. The surviving design did take on critical damage heading into the final round.
West Greene, being in the lead heading into the finals, had the opportunity to drop last. Logan and Matthew calculated, theorized, and spoke with Range Resources engineers, before making a determination on how much weight and from what distance they should drop in order to earn enough points to secure a victory. These boys didn't come to Range Resources to play tiddlywinks, so they decided to "go big or go home." Unfortunately, the design with critical damage, wasn't able to survive the final drop.
Logan and Matthew were able to take home 3rd place overall...and a trip to Sarris Candies afterward for some ice cream wasn't a bad way to calm those nerves after such an intense competition.
Great work Logan and Matthew, as well as Mr. Armstrong and Mrs. Perkins!
