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| Shannon and Ben at WMSI CNC Workshop |
TRRE recently partnered with White Mountain Science, Inc. (WMSI) and TRRE graduates, Shannon Wydra and Ben Mayerson, for a professional development event to create lesson plans that provide authentic STEM experience to Gorham middle school students. During July and August of 2019, WMSI staff members met with Shannon and Ben to test out a middle-high school level workflow using free and easy-to-use tools to ultimately construct a finger jointed box with a large Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine.
A CNC machine is a system where a computer program sends highly precise instructions to a movable tool. Three-Dimensional “printers,” which lay plastic to create finely detailed, well, plastic things, are one CNC device example. Others include CNC routers and CNC laser cutters. CNC machines are not only used by DIY’ers, they are also used by any industry that makes precision parts and products made of plastic, wood, metal, or countless other kinds of materials. Industries use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to ‘tell’ their CNC machines what to do. Autodesk, the company that created the industry standard application AutoCAD, has also designed Tinkercad, a free, kid-friendly application that allows beginners to create 3-dimensional designs that CNC machines can precisely create.
Industry leaders have often contacted WMSI to ask where they can find people with CNC knowledge and skills. Bill Church, founder and director of long-time TRRE partner WMSI, has been bringing tinkering and technology to New Hampshire's students and teachers for more than 20 years. Before founding WMSI, he was an area high school science teacher and hands-on STEM professional development instructor. Thanks to a recent initiative between WMSI, TRRE, and Gorham schools, one answer to NH industry’s problem might be in TRRE graduates’ classrooms.
Shannon Wydra, TRRE Cohort 1 member and STEM teacher at Gorham’s Middle School, has always been involved in the world of tinkering and technology from LEGO robotics to using electrically conductive paint to 3-Dimensional printing. Shannon, despite plenty of experience helping her students learn Tinkercad by creating 3-dimensional designs, observed too many barriers to use Gorham’s Techno CNC Systems HD-II Router, a CNC device more akin to industry level machines than entry level DIY and classroom machines.
Ben Mayerson, TRRE Cohort 2 member, also wanted to build his understanding of how to help his students design using Tinkercad. Ben has a long history as a set designer and builder for various performing arts venues. He was excited to bring together “easy to use” design tools and powerful production tools such as 3D printers and CNC machines.
On August 14th, Shannon, Bill, and Ben spent an August day at Gorham High School learning not only how to create designs that the Techno CNC Systems HD-II could render, but also how to create lessons and units that help their students develop some of the skills and knowledge that NH’s businesses desperately need. During the workshop, titled “Why Let 3D Printers Have All the Fun,” they learned all about the Techno CNC Systems HD-II by designing and creating flat pack furniture, and writing their work into lesson plans for their students. Furthermore, they learned how the very same workflow used to send a 3D design from a web-based CAD tool such as Tinkercad or MakerCase to lower barrier tools such as 3D printers and LASER cutters can be used with industry level tools such as the Techno CNC Systems HD-II. [2] This easier workflow helped convince Shannon and Ben that it is possible to give students access to larger machines for prototype making.
The recent collaboration mirrors one of TRRE’s conceptual foundations, “Community and Family Competence in Rural Teaching.” Two strategies to cultivate this competency for TRRE residents and graduates are to: 1) integrate in- and out-of-school resources and learning opportunities; and 2) address the interests and commitments of (NH’s) communities. What students learn in pursuit of applying skills that could solve a local business problem, is likely to be authentic, persistent and transferrable. The pooled knowledge, skills, and resources of valued community and school partners to help meet the needs of NH’s business community through educator professional development increases the probability of results from TRRE’s work will be sustained far beyond the life of the TRRE program.
[1] https://www.ccsnh.edu/manufacturingworkforce
A CNC machine is a system where a computer program sends highly precise instructions to a movable tool. Three-Dimensional “printers,” which lay plastic to create finely detailed, well, plastic things, are one CNC device example. Others include CNC routers and CNC laser cutters. CNC machines are not only used by DIY’ers, they are also used by any industry that makes precision parts and products made of plastic, wood, metal, or countless other kinds of materials. Industries use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to ‘tell’ their CNC machines what to do. Autodesk, the company that created the industry standard application AutoCAD, has also designed Tinkercad, a free, kid-friendly application that allows beginners to create 3-dimensional designs that CNC machines can precisely create.
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| Gorham Schools CNC router makes the cuts |
New Hampshire’s Hi-Tech industry leaders have had difficulty finding people to design precision 3-D models and operate their CNC machines. In the northern New Hampshire’s Littleton area, companies have invested in providing a local school with higher tech equipment to help train the future workforce. [1] Still, barriers to entry for New Hampshire high school students still exist.
Industry leaders have often contacted WMSI to ask where they can find people with CNC knowledge and skills. Bill Church, founder and director of long-time TRRE partner WMSI, has been bringing tinkering and technology to New Hampshire's students and teachers for more than 20 years. Before founding WMSI, he was an area high school science teacher and hands-on STEM professional development instructor. Thanks to a recent initiative between WMSI, TRRE, and Gorham schools, one answer to NH industry’s problem might be in TRRE graduates’ classrooms.
Shannon Wydra, TRRE Cohort 1 member and STEM teacher at Gorham’s Middle School, has always been involved in the world of tinkering and technology from LEGO robotics to using electrically conductive paint to 3-Dimensional printing. Shannon, despite plenty of experience helping her students learn Tinkercad by creating 3-dimensional designs, observed too many barriers to use Gorham’s Techno CNC Systems HD-II Router, a CNC device more akin to industry level machines than entry level DIY and classroom machines.
Ben Mayerson, TRRE Cohort 2 member, also wanted to build his understanding of how to help his students design using Tinkercad. Ben has a long history as a set designer and builder for various performing arts venues. He was excited to bring together “easy to use” design tools and powerful production tools such as 3D printers and CNC machines.
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| First attempt at box assembly |
The recent collaboration mirrors one of TRRE’s conceptual foundations, “Community and Family Competence in Rural Teaching.” Two strategies to cultivate this competency for TRRE residents and graduates are to: 1) integrate in- and out-of-school resources and learning opportunities; and 2) address the interests and commitments of (NH’s) communities. What students learn in pursuit of applying skills that could solve a local business problem, is likely to be authentic, persistent and transferrable. The pooled knowledge, skills, and resources of valued community and school partners to help meet the needs of NH’s business community through educator professional development increases the probability of results from TRRE’s work will be sustained far beyond the life of the TRRE program.
[1] https://www.ccsnh.edu/manufacturingworkforce
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