PARK TRIPS
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We typically go on two park trips each semester, visiting both local theme parks as well as parks a bit farther away from campus. These trips are our favorite team builders as it gathers our members together in the places that we all love. Each year we try to alternate between a series of parks within a reasonable distance from Penn State Main Campus. Notably, we have taken trips to Hersheypark, Dollywood, Kennywood, Cedar Point, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Island, Six Flags Great Adventure and Knoebels. Take a look at some of the group pictures from park trips through the years.
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BACKSTAGE TOURS
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On at least one of the park trips, we try to incorporate a back stage tour before or after park hours. These generally take place with guidance from the park's maintenance or engineering team. This allows special behind-the-scene access to current rides, as well as construction tours of attractions being built. Notably, we have been behind the scenes at Gatekeeper, Skyrush, Steel Vengeance, Alpengeist, Maverick, Verbolten, and most recently, Orion and Flight of Fear. We are very thankful for every park who has given us the opportunity for one of these tours, and we look forward to more in the future!
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CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT
Each semester, we participate in a few on-campus activities such as the annual Haunted House, and our new escape room game! These events are consistently some of our members' favorites, as we tie engineering, design, and leadership all together to make some impressive products!
Annual Haunted House Project
Spooky season is always in session!
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The Penn State Forensics Club sets up a haunted house for Penn State students and the community every year as a fundraiser. TPEG was initially called upon to set up lighting and audio elements to enhance the experience. Since, we have been selected to design three rooms of our own, from scratch! We then act them out throughout the weekend of the event! This is annually one of the most exciting and best team bonding experiences that our club takes part in. We have created Stranger Things rooms and a Nuclear Fallout Shelter and most recently, an Asylum!
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Escape Room Project
Can you escape the minds of Penn State TPEG?
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During the Spring 2017 semester, TPEG started working on creating an escape room. We have continued to evolve it and hope to implement the game into each semester as a fund raiser for the club. Our most recent theme surrounds escaping detention by figuring out a collection of riddles and clues to break free of the classroom.
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DESIGN PROJECTS
3D1
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A large portion of the semester we try to have a hands on project that can be accomplished within meeting time. These are usually very creative and challenge our members to think outside the box. Our largest project ever, The White Loop, involves the creation of a 3D printed rollercoaster from blue sky to grand reveal! We created the ride in Nolimits 2 and printed the track throughout the semester.
We also have various students who take design projects outside the class room and create amazing personal projects that push the limits! See them below! |
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Imagineering In A Box
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Since the COVID-19 pandemic shortened out Spring 2020 semester, we decided to do a fun activity during the summer to keep members engaged. For Summer 2020, members of our club met weekly to participate in Khan Academy’s Imagineering In A Box lessons. Students met via Zoom and collaborated on and discussed together.
Even while physically apart, the club came together to have some fun and expand each other's knowledge and creativity. The lessons combined many of the elements that goes into theming and storytelling including science, technology, engineering, art and math. |
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VIRTUAL PROJECTS
Our members have experience with many forms of computer-aided design applications. Below you will see various projects that our members have worked hard to create.
Nolimits 2 Rollercoaster Simulation
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Using professional roller coaster simulation applications like NoLimits helps those passionate about the theme park industry to learn exactly how roller coasters behave in real-time. Using this knowledge, our student body has used the program to create their own realistic roller coaster designs. We have also used the application for professional projects. Scroll through the images to see some of the amazing concepts and recreations our members have created. |
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Appalachian Creeks Water Park Concept
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Appalachian Creeks changes the way we think about the interaction between the ride and the spectator. Created using Rhinoceros and Maya, this water park concept makes watching and waiting for attractions just as entertaining as being on them. Appalachian Creeks was awarded the PGAV Destinations Spot Experiential Scholarship in the Summer of 2014.
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Walt Disney World Monorail Concept
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Created using Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Maya, this monorail design is inspired by the current "Mark VII" monorail trains currently operating on the beams of the Disneyland Resort, but with the spaciousness and accessibility of Walt Disney World's "Mark VI" trains.
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