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Fabricating their fu Jump
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For their capstone projects, seniors in the Appoquinimink School District engineering pathway devise interesting solutions to everyday problems Stories by Ken Mammarella, Contributing Writer
Headlight Glare Reducer: A solution to a shared problem
S
am Anderson, Rami Masu and Dithya M. Shake considered issues as diverse as fishing and lawnmowers before they settled on their Headlight Glare Reducer. “A really fun way to learn,” Rami said of that process of considering problems, doing research and then developing a solution. The Appoquinmink High seniors, all in teacher Stephen Landry’s engineering design and development class, tackled what Rami called the “really annoying” glare from other vehicles or other sources when driving at night. “It’s a problem we all had on back roads,” said Dithya, who plans to major in engineering but hasn’t selected a college. True, rearview mirrors can tilt to ease the problem. Their glare reducer is a tinted acrylic screen that slides up to cover the mirror and filter out the glare. “It’s really convenient,” Dithya said. They sprayed on a 35 percent car-window tint on the acrylic, said Rami, who plans to major in computer engineering at the University of Delaware. Velcro straps and a 3D-printed frame finished the gadget, said Sam, who plans to major in engineering. Jose Curras of W.L. Gore was their mentor. Road testing showed that the reducer stayed in place. Data from a light sensor to measure glare reduction didn’t make sense, Dithya said, so they used a pass-fail test in the school parking lot, with the reducer in Dithya’s Honda CR-V and the high beams behind it in Rami’s Honda Accord. It passed. 16
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Luigi Ciuffetelli photos courtesy of Appoquinimink School District
Appoquinimink High seniors Rami Masu, Dithya Shake and Sam Anderson demonstrate how to install their invention, a rearview mirror attachment that reduces headlight glare.
The students discuss their senior capstone project with Engineering Pathway teacher Stephen Landry.
Middletown Life | Spring/Summer 2022 | www.middletownlifemagazine.com
