Waterworks Summer Session
Info
Overview
We don't often think about where our water comes from, we just expect it to flow from the faucent when we need it. But its journey from the source through the treatment facility and to your home is a complex and important system that deserves your attention.
In this project, 10 high school students will build a small scale model of Lynchburg's water distribution system. Starting with a tour of the water treatment plant, we'll learn all we can before building a working replica with PVC piping, pumps, 3D printed buildings, and laser cut decorations.
It's engineering, art, and science communication all in one.
Curriculum
In the process of building a miniature water distribution model, students will work with and learn about:

- 3D printing
- Laser cutting
- Pumps
- Valves
- Water storage
- Pipes
- Water meters/monitors and other sensors
- Various hand and power tools
Schedule
This project is from 9:00am - 3:00pm starting Monday, July 25 and ending Friday, July 29.
Eligibility
This project is for students ages 14 to 19 (rising 9th through 12th grades). The early registration fee is $225 until June 14th, and $250 afterwards.
Scholarships are available by application on the Scholarships tab. The application period closes July 5th and the applicants will be notified by July 12th.
Sponsors
This project is a partnership with the Lynchburg Department of Water Resources.
Instructors
Adam Spontarelli
Adam began his career as a Mechanical Engineer in the Nuclear Industry, modeling the flow of fluid and heat through pipes and debris, around baffles and impellers, across differing liquids, gasses, and solids. If the laws of Thermodynamics seemed to misbehave and joules of energy went missing, Adam helped find them.
After nearly a decade in the field, he left his desk job to pursue his passion for science, engineering, and making by founding Vector Space. Adam has built coffee roasters, drones, thermally conductive LED boards, arcade machines, childrens' bikes, robotic painting pianos, smart thermostats, and everything in between. He's fascinated by the way things works, and the more technical it gets, the better.
The only thing he enjoys as much as making things is teaching others to make things. As the Director of Education, Adam is responsible for crafting educational programming that excites and engages students. He incorporates the compelling work of Makiguchi, Dewey, and Papert into his teaching methods, placing experiential learning at the forefront of his efforts. Adam has led students to build their own quadcopter, launch capsules into space, race RC cars at 60 mph, build giant flip books, custom bicycles, skateboards, autonomous boats, and so much more. His programs have been nationally recognized by the Nation of Makers and shared with the maker education community through Maker Ed. Adam is always coming up with new ideas and looking forward to the next adventure.
Nancy Lilly
Nancy has been an environmental educator for 11 years. Her passion and creativity align and thrive at the conjunction of humanity and nature. She will be teaching about base science of Climate Change and Water Quality and guide students to think about local problems that might be solved with some creative collaboration. The only thing Nancy likes more than talking about the environment is being outside in it! She's an avid boater, biker, and hiker who also dabbles in art and science and wherever the two tend to meet.
Participants
These are the makers who are going to bring this project to life! There are 2 open spots remaining.