Energy Sources, Autodesk, and Belt Sanders

MAP testing is now over! Even though we have had a pretty crazy schedule the past two weeks we did manage to get some work completed during that time.

6th
The end of last week and on Monday this week students constructed their air skimmers. They had to measure precisely and construct the air skimmer based on a completed model. I like giving them a completed model to work from as instructions because it will cause them to think not only how the object was constructed but also they have to take what they have learned from the model and create their own air skimmer. This is definitely an assignment that helps students develop critical thinking skills.
Thusday  this week I introduced the students to the new computer program that we will be using to 3D model our dragsters for the design challenge. The software is called Autodesk Inventor and it is a 3D CAD software that students enrolled in pre-engineering classes will use all the way through high school. Autodesk also offers a student copy of this software for free if your son or daughter would like to use it at home. This link should take you to their page Autodesk Inventor  .

7th
I  think we only have about 4 more days our our speaker project and that will consist of lots of sanding using the belt sander and painting. I am excited to see how these projects will turn out! We have also started to talk about a design process that many engineers or designers may use. Next week students will also work on an online floor plan designer to create a floor plan with a specific client in mind. They can also get to the design software at home by going to homestyler. After the speaker project is complete we will dive deeper into the engineering design process and more Autodesk Inventor projects.



8th
I really enjoyed the presentations on the various energy sources this week. We also had a lot of progress on many of the student's maker faire Friday Projects.  Next week students will also work on an online floor plan designer to create a floor plan with a specific client in mind. They can also get to the design software at home by going to homestyler.