STEM Challenges

Content

This course focuses on engineering through design, testing, and development. Students will manufacture small projects, some from a fixed design and others based on their findings, in an effort to improve the design. Products will be drawn in a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) package, and the drawings will then be used to produce laser-cut and 3D-printed items. Traditional hand tools and machines may be required for the final assembly of the small projects.  

Topics may include:

• Principles of flight, aerodynamics, energy transfer, gearing and weight distribution     
• Calculations of ratio, area and volume
• Measurement and scaling
• 2D and 3D drawings, sketches and Computer-Aided Designs 
• Laser cutting and etching
• 3D printing
• Assembly of small projects
• Testing and evaluating 

Assessment

Tasks may include designing, building and testing a:

• Balsa wood glider
• Electric boat
• Mouse-trap powered car  
• Compressed air rocket

Each task may include:

• Introductory exercises with a skill focus
• Folio task and research
• Design task 
• Practical application and assembly of student design
• Written evaluation  

Additional Information