If you have been to a Polk County High School home football game in the past year you may have noticed the “P” logo at Larry G. Davis Complex.  Ever wonder how it was applied or who applied it?  The students in Mr. Goodman’s Engineering Design classes used their acquired technical skills to design, develop, and dimension the “P” logo on the football field.  

The design involved several steps.  Step one involved a basic sketch from a football helmet decal.  Then the students use drafting equipment, such as an architecture scale, French curves, and a compass to add dimensions and curves.  Each student then took his/her sketch and redesigned the decal in AutoCAD.  In AutoCAD they first created the oval around the “P” and then using several AutoCAD commands created the “P” within the oval.  

The best part about this project is the students actually take their drawings and create the actual logo on the field.  They learn why an architecture scale is important along with several other objectives.  “Scales are very important in the Engineering Industry.  If we don’t understand how to read and dimension a scale of _” = 1’ this logo would not look right at all.  I am glad Coach Davis has the confidence in our class to apply and develop the logo,” said Jenny Houts.

Mr. Goodman said “When I first started teaching students would ask me ‘Why do I need to know this?’  Now instead of asking that question they always want to know what project we are going to do next.  This is a great experience for the students, especially on Friday nights when they come to the game and they can tell their parents – Hey, I did that!  The project would not be possible without the support of Coach Davis and the booster club.  They are the ones that supply all the paint that is used.  

“I think this project showed us how skills that are learned in class can be relevant to the real world.  This is definitely going to prepare us for our competitions this year,” added Rachel Moses.  PCHS students travel annually to National Conferences and compete against other schools in the nation to win money, scholarships, and bragging rights.  This year the students will travel to Anahiem, CA and Denver, CO to compete.  Students are selling tickets  for $5 to an All You Can Eat Pancake breakfast at Applebee’s in Cleveland the morning of October 11th to help fund the trip.  Tickets will be available at the next 2 home games.