The workshop buzzes with activity as students sketch their designs, tinker with projects, and exchange ideas. Laptops glow with blueprints, and sparks of inspiration fill the air. It’s a typical afternoon for the Ray HS Engineering Club, where creativity and problem-solving come together to turn dreams into reality.
With so many organizations to choose from, finding one that is both exciting and helps prepare you for the future can be overwhelming. However, if you’re looking for a club that blends hands-on-experience with fun, Engineering Club is perfect for you.
The president of Engineering Club Alfaro stated the club’s mission in brief—“We provide valuable skills and experiences used by real world engineers”.
And to sum up the club’s spirit, Alfaro put it simply: “We make cool stuff.”
So far this year, the W.B. Ray Engineering Club has had three different projects, each taking at least three or four meetings.
The first project involved building accurate, life-sized trebuchets that ended up launching cantaloupes upwards of twenty feet. The third, which is still ongoing, focuses on creating working prosthetic legs from various found materials. The second project, and the main focus of this article, was the creation of 3D-printed lightsabers inspired by the Star Wars film series.
The lightsaber project in particular allowed the development of skills in 3D modeling and the expression of students’ creativity. In the project, students designed and made their own lightsaber using online and physical tools, with all materials being supplied by Engineering Club.
Students began by designing a 3d model of their lightsaber using the software OnShape chosen for its ease of use and affordability. OnShape is known for its accessibility as it has the ability to be used over the internet, similar to Google Drive. This allowed students to build and work on models from wherever they had an internet connection, even if they lacked high-end technology.
While all lightsabers shared a common base structure, students had complete freedom in designing the hilt. Officers provided direction on how to design the simple cylindrical base of the lightsaber, which was necessary to connect the blade to a 3D printed hilt.
After the base was completed the students were allowed to do as they wished. Throughout the next few meetings, as well as in any of their spare time, the students could add any features to their lightsaber, allowing for students to express creativity and ingenuity in their designs, with officers providing support as needed.
Some students took the project to the next level—like Emilee Gomez, who created a double-bladed lightsaber inspired by Darth Maul from Star Wars, showcasing exceptional skill and creativity.
Beyond skill-building, Engineering Club also fosters a strong sense of community.
“Our club gives the most freedom and opportunity to thrive in a passion they could develop … in the future,” says Vice President Darcy Gossett.
Engineering Club Parliamentarian Corpitos Rios agreed, emphasizing the camaraderie among members.
“My engineering club is filled with people like me. The kinda person who would want to build a medieval siege weapon and shoot pumpkins out of it, or design and make our own T-Shirt launcher. Everyone who showed up to the meeting has had the time of their life and will probably never forget it” he said.
As Engineering Club continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, its members prove that hands-on-learning can be just as exciting as it is educational.
Alfaro, a senior near top of his class, leaves aspiring engineers a simple but powerful reminder: “Being a nerd is a good thing.”
