The Innovation Lab is an evolving space. I want to take some time to update everyone
about what’s going on in that space.
First, it is home to a number of mine and Mr. Hanan’s engineering and
advanced manufacturing classes. In
addition to those classes, it houses Mr. Risse’s computer science class. It is also where my STEAM class meets. Robotics teams and the after school LEAF
group use this space as well. So, there
is a lot going on in this space and it’s an exciting place to be.
We have
been fortunate to receive a number of new pieces of equipment added to the
Innovation Lab through grants Jody and others have worked on. We received a 3D printer last year that was
designed for more experimental uses.
This year we have added a new, more advanced 3D printer. It is a uPrint SE Plus and we are just
beginning to figure out the capabilities of this machine. Students are able to design objects on the
Autodesk Inventor program and then print that product through this 3D
printer. I have learned of some new
software, 123D Catch, available through Autodesk that will allow students to
take pictures of an object, convert it to the right file through Inventor, and
then print it on the 3D printer. That’s
amazing to me…the possibilities are endless with this machine!
A
vinyl cutter is one of the newest additions to the Innovation Lab due to a
Perkins grant Mr. Risse worked on. This
machine allows students to design graphics and create products such as decals. It could also be used to create the graphics
applied to signs and banners. A group of
students will soon be working a business model for this machine.
Mr.
Hanan’s advanced manufacturing class has been working on building a CNC router
from a kit. There is a robotics storage
room that is full of different types of robots and pieces to build robots. Soon, there will be some training equipment arriving
that will allow students to learn some valuable advanced manufacturing
skills such as programming, electrical circuits, hydraulics, and pneumatics to
name a few.
One
of the best things about this lab is that it is becoming student owned. Students are figuring out, sometimes on their
own or in teams, how to work these new pieces of equipment. There is even a group of students working on
their FedEx Day project, through Mrs. Ball’s class, to design a vision for the
space and carry out some renovations.
They have some amazing ideas for the Innovation Lab. There is so much exciting learning going on
in this space and I can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve. Anyone is welcome to come down and check the
space out at any time. I’m sure there
will be a number of students eager to show you how some of the new equipment
works!
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