🏁 Lancaster Community Center – Current Standings
We’re excited to highlight one of our recent hands-on STEM projects at the Lancaster Community Center: Project 12 – Clean Air Engineering Challenge.
During this project, students explored how modern vehicles reduce harmful emissions by studying catalytic converters. Using a MagnaFlow cutaway model, students examined the internal honeycomb structure that helps clean vehicle exhaust, giving them a real-world look at automotive engineering in action.
Students then stepped into the role of engineers, working in teams to design and build their own emissions control systems. Each team created a multi-stage filtration system using everyday materials, with the goal of capturing pollution particles while maintaining proper airflow—just like in real vehicles.
Teams took on specific roles, including Measurer, Builder, Filter Engineer, and Brand Designer, reinforcing collaboration and accountability. After building their systems, students tested, improved, and retested their designs, demonstrating critical thinking and real engineering practices.
To complete the challenge, each team developed a company name, branding, and presented their design to an audience—answering questions about both their engineering decisions and business approach. Parent participation during presentations added a meaningful real-world experience, helping students build confidence in public speaking and communication.
Top Performing Teams:
D1 Clippers (Rodric Rules) – 100% Score, 95–100% Capture Rate
JTR Racing (E-Tron) – 100% Score, 95–100% Capture Rate
Overthinkers (JJ) – 95% Score
Chick-fil-A Sauce (Opt Must) – 45% Score
Project Awards:
Cleanest Air Champion: D1 Clippers
Highest Capture Rate: JTR Racing
Strongest Structure: JTR Racing
Best Engineering Brand: D1 Clippers
This project challenged students to think like engineers, collaborate like teams, and present like professionals—connecting classroom learning to real-world automotive careers.
We’re proud of the creativity, teamwork, and growth our students continue to demonstrate, and we look forward to bringing even more impactful programs to the Lancaster community.
Nice addition—this helps keep momentum and shows continuity.
What’s Next: Project 13 – Automotive Design & Prototyping
Students will take on the role of automotive designers and entrepreneurs in our next challenge. Each team will be divided into two departments:
Engineering Team – responsible for designing and building a vehicle prototype using clay and modeling materials
Marketing Team – responsible for creating advertisements and developing strategies to promote their vehicle
To simulate real-world business decision-making, each student will receive $30,000 in “Auto Pros Academy Bucks” to purchase a vehicle—excluding their own team’s design. Teams will compete to create the most desirable product, with the winning team determined by total revenue earned.
This project combines engineering, creativity, marketing, and financial literacy, giving students a full experience of how automotive companies design, brand, and sell vehicles. With up to 500 points on the line, this will be our most competitive project yet.
