By Tyler Christiansen
We’re excited to launch our brand-new Design and Engineering 8/9 course at STEM Innovation Academy this semester! This hands-on class is all about equipping students with essential skills in design and engineering, while encouraging them to take on real-world challenges. Throughout the course, students will develop practical skills that they’ll use to bring their final projects to life, diving into everything from tool safety to advanced engineering concepts.
Our last project focused on an essential aspect of working in the Makerspace: safety. Students took on the important task of creating safety videos for a variety of tools, including the bandsaw, scroll saw, drill press, various sanding tools, and hand tools. Each group researched their assigned tool, learned proper operating procedures, and highlighted key safety measures. They then produced informative and engaging videos that will help educate other students who use the Makerspace in the future.
This project not only reinforced the importance of safety in design and engineering but also allowed students to practice communicating technical information effectively. It was a fantastic way to introduce students to the Makerspace environment and set the stage for more hands-on learning.
As the course progresses, we’ll continue building on these foundational skills, leading up to a final project where students will put their newfound knowledge and creativity to the test. We can’t wait to see the innovative solutions and designs our students come up with!
STEMIA Journal 