Design & ModelingIn this class, students begin to recognize the importance of engineering in our society. They are introduced to and use the design process to solve problems and understand the influence that creative and innovative design has on our everyday lives. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to create a virtual image of their designs. As a final project, students will design and physically construct a magnetic-levitation vehicle based on plans they have created using the 3D modeling software.
UnitsUnit 1: STEM
Unit 2: Systems of Measurment Unit 3: Engineering Drawing Unit 4: Modeling & Design Unit 5: Prototyping ITEEA StandardsPhotosClick the link below to see students from this class in action!
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Unit 1: STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, & MathematicsIn this unit, students will be introduced to the topic of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Students will be introduced to what engineers do, different fields of engineering, and how STEM is important in their everyday lives. They will also be introduced to the engineering design process which will be used throughout all of their middle school PLTW classes.
Lesson 1: Intro to STEMLesson 2: Engineering Design ProcessStudents will be creating their own "design process poster" using MS publisher to assist with the design. Students will start from a blank sheet in publisher, and create their own posters. Their posters must include:
Click below for a link to the original design process poster that you will be recreating. Lesson 3: Engineering in the WorldStudents will watch a design squad video in which two student teams are assigned a problem and must work through the design process in order to solve this problem, much like an engineer. As students are watching the video, they will "follow" one team and write down examples for what is done in each step of the process.
Unit 2: Systems of MeasurmentIn this unit, students will begin to explore different systems of measurement. We will be focusing on systems of measurement that will be sued to measure distance and size of objects. These measurement skills we be carried on to be used in Autodesk Inventor, as well as all of the hands-on projects that will take place within this class.
Click the link below to download a printable ruler to practice at home! Be sure to turn off any "shrink to fit" options when printing!
Lesson 1: What is Measurement?Lesson 2: Application of Measurment
Students will use the ruler game to practice measuring and to compete in a classroom competition.
Lesson 3: Cardboard SkimmerClick the link below to access the skimmer measurements and drawings!
Unit 3: Engineering DrawingIn this unit, students will be introduced to orthographic and isometric drawings. Students will be creating their own drawings of objects, as well as creating three dimensional objects based on the drawings. These skills will be carried over in the next unit, Modeling and Design.
Lesson 1: Sketching TechniquesLesson 2: Isometric SketchingStudents will learn about isometric drawings and how they are used by engineers. Students will learn to create simple isometric sketches using dot paper.
Lesson 3: Orthographic SketchingUnit 4: Modeling and DesignIn this unit, students will be using computer aided design (CAD) software to create part drawings and three-dimensional models of everyday objects. Students will learn how CAD works, the basic tools to properly use the software, and begin to create their own three dimensional models from beginning to end.
Lesson 1: Autodesk Inventor BasicsStudents will see and use the basic tools, Autodesk inventor setup (browser, toolbars, view cube, workspace, etc.), and create a new part file with 2D drawings.
Students will also create an Autodesk Inventor save folder on their H: drive at this time. This folder will be used to save ALL Autodesk Inventor Files. Lesson 2: 2D Drawing & Geometric ContstraintsStudents will be creating and dimensioning 2D drawings, as well as using the other geometric drawing constraints.
*See the link below for 2D drawing files and the geometric constraints activity. Lesson 3: 3D Drawing ToolsLesson 4: Household Objects ModelingUnit 5: PrototypingIn this unit, students will use the CAD software to create a design for a magnetic levitation vehicle. Students will then transfer this design onto a foam block, and use a hot-wire cutter to create a prototype of their vehicle. We will then host an in-house race with these mag-lev cars.
Lesson 1: Mag-Lev Vehicle DesignStudents will first sketch out their vehicle design using the worksheet below. After the design is approved by the teacher, they will then download the "Foam Block" file and transfer their designs into the Autodesk Inventor software.
If you have trouble creating the foam block blank, you may download one using the file below!
Lesson 2: mag-Lev Vehicle ConstructionStudents will be transferring the design from Autodesk Inventor to a foam block. Students will then use a hot-wire cutter to rough cut the shape of the car. Students will then use files and sandpaper to finish off their prototype. They will then color their car and prepare for the race.
Lesson 3: Mag-Lev Vehicle Race |