In The Classroom
Students learn AutoCAD and create objects like playground equipment, hairbrushes, and pegboard toys similar to the professional drafters. The students will also create and build projects related to industry locally and nationally: windmills (LM Windpower), container business (Pac-Van and Hugg & Hall), and the James Webb Space Telescope.
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Students also use the VEX Robotics® platform to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, elevators, and robotic arms. Student learn C+ and C++ programming to operate the electronic projects mechanisms.
After the kids have learned to build and program, they build a robot to compete in the classroom game, "Swept Away." We also take this game and the robots to other events so other people can experience the fun of the students' creations.
This year in the classroom, we highlighted an Arkansas company called LM Windpower. We studied how they make windmill blades, researched other type of windmills, and built a windmill design of their choice to compare the differences. The projects were outstanding and the students were very excited to show their creations.
The students learn to build 12 gear mechanisms and then use the knowledge of those builds to complete other projects like a windmill, pull toy, toll booth, and elevator.
NASA is launching a telescope into space in the year 2018, the name of the telescope is the James Webb Space Telescope. The students completed a project on this telescope. The students do research on the JWST, plan their project, and have a deadline to meet for their work. The students can create an AutoCADD rendering of the telescope, a scaled model of the telescope, or a scaled drawing of the telescope. Measurement, teamwork, knowledge of the telescope are key to the student's success.
The students learn basic AutoCADD using Autodesk Inventor. They create several different pieces to specific dimensions, color them, and constrain them together to make a final product.
This is one of the students' favorite projects. They are given a file folder, draw and measure the pieces of the skimmer, tape them together, and "skim" the creations across the floor to see how far it can go. A little fun mixed in with the competition.