More than 70 students were on-hand August 14 to explain and demonstrate their comprehensive final-year, final-term projects at Summer Tech Showcase. Held at Conestoga’s Cambridge campus, best of program projects from 14 programs in the School of Engineering and Information Technology were presented to judges, faculty, industry partners and family.
Woodworking Technology student Zack Snoei was awarded top honour at Summer Tech Showcase for his Arukuro Cabinet.
Woodworking Technology (co-op) student Zack Snoei was awarded top honour for his Arukuro Cabinet - a liquor cabinet inspired by Japanese design elements. The judges were faced with a difficult decision as they were impressed with the passion, skills, creativity and innovation displayed at this year’s showcase. In the end, it was Snoei’s design and woodworking skills that stood out.
Snoei’s cabinet was crafted out of cherry, hand stained, and included sliding doors, a keypad lock and lighting. The idea for the cabinet came to Snoei on a trip to Muskoka after seeing something similar and thought its design could use improvements.
Snoei will be honoured with Conestoga’s Mastercraft Award at 2017 Fall Convocation. Recognizing excellence in program-related skills, the Mastercraft Award was established in 1980 by former Conestoga president Kenneth E. Hunter. The award includes a Coat of Arms and a cash prize of $1,000.
Honourable mentions went to Bachelor of Interior Design student Laura Simpson and her Working Centre project, and Mechanical Engineering Technology - Automated Manufacturing students Nick Baker and Stephen O’Dwyer for their programmable plasma cutter.
Simpson, who designed a new fit-up for an existing building to house The Working Centre, said she was drawn to her project because of the challenges it presented - using an old building and exploring natural light as a concept. Baker and O’Dwyer’s programmable plasma cutter was designed with function in mind - ideal for a small to medium shop, its compact size includes a water tray to absorb most of the harmful exhaust, eliminating the need for an exhaust hood.
The Woodworking Technology (co-op) program is a unique co-operative advanced diploma program, where students are provided with theoretical and practical training related to the technology and skills involved in the efficient and quality-conscious manufacture of furniture, cabinets and architectural millwork. The co-op delivery mode allows students the opportunity to relate in-school training with real industrial experience.