Local industry helps us to learn

In the educational environment we operate in, the key to learning is cooperation. The local industries and businesses are helping Iron Range Engineering, (IRE) every semester. Brian Pazzelli, owner of North Country Heating, Cooling, & Refrigeration helped our team learn about the refrigeration cycle by modifying a small refrigerator. He has prior educational experience as a former educator at Dunwoody College. His willingness to explain the process and ensure modifications were done correctly was great. He added valves to the refrigerant lines, Figure 1, and recharged them with environmentally safe refrigerant. His firm also donated a set of pressure gauges so we could monitor the pressures and complete our learning experiment. The difference between the ideal and actual operation of systems is easier to understand and remembered longer when it is experienced “hands on”.

Figure 1 Valves and pressure gauges

The learning process for engineering never stops changing. There are new technologies to learn and discover in almost every field of study. One other thing that is sure not to change is the state of Minnesota’s commitment to work with industry and educational institutions to achieve the right balance of economy, safety and environmental protection.

This cooperation happens with every IRE team at one time or another. Help is provided when needed, by one of the fine businesses around the Iron Range and state. They are going to make this educational program model work for the future engineers and the industry of Northern Minnesota.