Fitch engineering students create hovercraft

AUSTINTOWN

After brainstorming about what to build in the Intro to Engineering class at Fitch High School, a few students settled on building a hovercraft.

“We just thought about what we could do our freshman year, and we thought this is something really cool that we can expand upon in the future,” said Nate Spalding, 15.

That was back in November in the first-year Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics class at the school, 4650 Falcon Drive. A hovercraft can go on water or land and uses an engine that powers a propeller that uses force to power the machine forward. There is a place for someone to sit and control the device as well.

Months later, teams of students in the 19-person class work on the 5-by-10-feet frame while some read blueprints spread out on two desks.

“What we saw happening was everybody helping each other out,” noted teacher Seth Basista.

Read more about how they brought the craft to fruition in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.