NEWPORT — North Country Career Center students in the engineering and digital fabrication program were honored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce for their entry in the “Coolest Thing Made in Vermont by CTE Students” contest.
Working with Built by Newport, NCCC instructor Hazen Converse and his students designed and built an automated air blow-off system for computer numerical control machines.
The device uses a programmed electronic valve to release a burst of air every 15 seconds, clearing wood shavings from beneath the machine and replacing a manual process.
The project required extensive teamwork, creative problem-solving and multiple rounds of design revision.
NCCC was one of five schools recognized statewide. Student Ben Warren attended the Vermont Manufacturing Summit to accept the award.
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce praised all student finalists for demonstrating the innovation and technical skill that support Vermont’s manufacturing economy.
