Updated: 05/27/2014 6:28 PM
Created: 05/27/2014 5:07 PM WDIO.com
By: Maarja Anderson
Talk about a hands on project. It all started with a snowmobile and a little imagination. Now, the engineering class at Nashwauk-Keewatin finally got to see their hovercraft on the water.
They already knew their hovercraft could hover.
"We had it on the road, we had it on the snow, but when you take it out on water you have that capability of sinking," explained industrial technology and engineering instructor, AJ Abate.
The water was their final test. Nashwauk Fire and Rescue stood by just in case there were any problems, but the hovercraft cruised across the water without a problem.
"It was wild," said Abate.
Abate's 14 engineering students at Nashwauk-Keewatin High School had a few doubts about their semester-long project cutting it on water.
"I wasn't sure if it was going to work, but it worked really well and I'm pretty proud of it," said junior, Shelby Walters.
"I didn't think it would turn as well as it did," sophomore, Taishon Hallmark, said.
In their introduction to engineering course, the high schoolers started from scratch.
"We started just getting ideas online and looking at different people's hovercrafts. Then we designed our own in AutoCAD and then we took it to the shop and used our designs to make it," explained Walters.
The students designed it all from the decals to the mechanics. The first challenge, Abate said, was how to turn a snowmobile into a hovercraft.
"You got your steering, motor, exhaust, and we used the clutches off the snowmobile," said Abate.
With the donated snowmobile and other materials they had to buy, the hovercraft cost about $800. But for the students, their piece of work is priceless.
"You can ask anyone of these guys, it was probably the best thing you'd ever do in school. Build a hovercraft," said Hallmark.
Last year, the class built a flight simulator. Now, Abate said they're thinking of making another hovercraft so Nashwuak Fire and Rescue can use it for ice rescues.
Thousands Flock for Two Harbors Beargrease Marathon Start
About 45 teams of mushers and dogs took off on the John Beargrease Marathon trail in Two Harbors Sunday afternoon to cheers from thousands of spectators, despite a departure from the traditional race start at Duluth East High School...
Wisconsin Lawmaker Hopes to End 'Vaping' Indoors
Lawmakers are set to reignite conversations this week about whether vaping - using electronic cigarettes and other vapor smoking devices - should be included in Wisconsin's smoking ban. The ban took effect in 2010. It outlaws smoking in all public indoor locations, including restaurants and bars.
Campground Fees Rise this Year at Michigan State Parks
Fees at state-operated campgrounds in Michigan are going up this year to cover higher costs and pay for maintenance projects. Parks and recreation chief Ron Olson of the Department of Natural Resources says the amount of the increase at a particular site depends on its popularity.
Minnesota Guard Not Going to Liberia After All
Members of the Minnesota National Guard have learned they won't be going to Liberia to help the U.S. military's response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Soldiers from the Rosemount-based 34th Red Bull Infantry Division were supposed to go to Liberia this year in support of Operation United Assistance.
One Man Dead After Car Accident in Aitkin County
A 47-year-old man died after his vehicle was broadsided in east-central Minnesota on Saturday night. The incident happened at the intersection of Highway 18 and Highway 65 in Aitkin County at 9:35 p.m.