Students in the Pella High School Agriculture Mechanics class were able to test their teamwork and mechanical skills by helping out the Marching Dutch this season. One of the props for this year’s Marching Dutch performance was having some mechanical issues, and students in Agricultural Mechanics took on the challenge of troubleshooting and fixing the prop. Students TR Putz and Caleb VanEssen first met with band director Dameon Place to learn what the needs were of the band, and then went and reviewed the prop and put a plan together to fix it. After several rounds of testing ideas, the students decided to design gussets using CAD CAM software and welded them in place. Their solution worked, and passed the test with flying colors.

Agriculture instructor Jacob Bowers says “Students worked as a team to actively listen to a real world problem, identify possible solutions, test them out, and utilized skills in welding, metalworking, CAD/CAM software, running CNC equipment, and stayed safe while doing so.”

Community members who are in need of help with projects are encouraged to reach out to the Pella High Ag department and FFA Chapter by contacting the high school.