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Externship Summary - 2008
Work-based Learning Projects for the Classroom
Angelo Velez
Abbot Technical High School, Danbury, CT

Host Company: Branson Ultrasonics
Project: Drafting Workstation Design Project

Task Abstract: Students will design a new mechanism for raising and lowering the work surface of a Drafting Workstation. They will create a complete set of working drawing and solicit the assistance of a NFG student to physically create the new mechanism.

Grade Level: 11 - 12th

TASK OBJECTIVES

Students will:

  • Learn about the work surface of a drafting workstation
  • Physically create from working drawings the workstation

Task Description: I plan to implement a “Drafting Desk Design Project” at Abbot Technical High School, one of the seventeen technical high schools in the state of Connecticut, with the goal of increasing understanding of ISO Standards, Lean Manufacturing and the use of SolidWorks software while promoting a career pathway for students to transition into the local manufacturing workforce. The groups will be comprised of a combination of 11th and 12th grade students from the Manufacturing and Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology trades which will allow for an “experienced” student to be placed with an “inexperienced” student therefore promoting responsibility, collaboration, teamwork and research, among others. The students will be thrust into the design world by brainstorming a product idea that they can engineer, design and manufacture. They will be exposed to the five stages of the design process which will provide them the ability to generate a proposal for their idea. They will then submit a plan outlining the course of action they intend to take. Each group will have shared responsibilities for their segment of the design project with each individual facilitating their area of responsibility. In cases where mentors and/or job shadowing are required support will be sought from local corporations to assist the students through the project.

Student Work Types:

  1. Designing a drafting desk
  2. Field trip to Branson Ultrasonics

Resources Required:

  • Access to the Manufacturing department
  • Bus Access
  • Money for purchase of materials - possibly through the student government, the schools general fund, local corporations and/or fundraisers

Prior Learning Required: Students will be required to go through basic training for the five stages of design, SolidWorks and ISO Standards.

Context within which work is produced:  The projects will be produced in the Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Manufacturing departments at Abbot Technical High School.

Individual or Group Work: Group

Special Needs: n/a

Educator Comments: I would like to thank Mary deManbey, CBIA, for her enthusiasm and creating this opportunity to go out into industry to learn about SolidWorks, ISO Standards and bring that learning back to my classroom. I would also like to thank Ron Baldwin and Carl Zihn, both of Branson Ultrasonics for hosting me, and in particular, Carl Zihn for putting up with my endless questions. I look forward to developing a relationship with them and Branson Ultrasonics in the hopes of producing future employees for them. I am honored to be a part of the RCNGM and CBIA Externship Program and the influence it will have on my students who are our future.

 


The Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education program. Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.