Hello, friends, family, and fellow community members! At our vocational high school, the Engineering & Robotics shop is buzzing with creativity and hands-on problem-solving as our students dive into their weekly projects. This week, we’re featuring updates from two students, Adam Lewis and Quinn Dufour. From coding dynamic weather systems to fine-tuning precision machinery, these young innovators are not only advancing their skills but also mentoring peers and tackling real-world challenges. Join us in celebrating their progress—it’s a testament to the grit and ingenuity that defines our program.
Adam made impressive strides in his weather monitoring project this week, fine-tuning the display logic to boost accuracy: clouds now only trigger for broken or overcast skies, and the sunny mode dims to avoid false thunderstorm alerts. Sparked by a chat with classmate Oliver, he kicked off an exciting new endeavor—a multi-city weather map that color-codes temperatures in red for heat and blue for chill, with the scope still TBD between Massachusetts locales or a full U.S. overview. To lay the groundwork, Adam coded and tested integrations with the OpenWeatherMap API, pulling live data for spots like Boston and Worcester via our school’s premium access, all while lending a hand to sophomores on their debut PCB milling and soldering sessions. His blend of coding prowess and collaborative spirit is setting the stage for even more expansive displays ahead. Read more about Adam’s work here.
Quinn powered through the final phases of his DRO scale installation with determination, tapping the last hole, slicing a segment on the vertical band saw, and drilling and threading four holes into the unyielding lathe bed—a task that tested both patience and precision. Assembly was a rewarding puzzle of screws and washers, yielding a seamless fit that glided smoothly in tests and held firm during an actual workpiece operation, banishing slippage woes for good. Beyond the build, Quinn jumped in on shop support, attempting a headphone repair with super glue (lesson learned: it doesn’t always bond!), tidying the water jet area by vacuuming abrasive scraps, and drafting a clever cord-organizing mount for screens to streamline workflows. With this milestone in the books, he’s gearing up to prototype that ergonomic accessory next, keeping the momentum rolling. Read more about Quinn’s work here.
MVTHS Engineering 
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