Educator and Mentor, Trevor Lewis, Voyager Middle School, Everett, WA, USA, teaches design with SOLIDWORKS, digital manufacturing with 3D Printer and laser cutters, and inspires students in his STEAM Lab. STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math, when combined with imagination, empower students to direct their future. Faced with the challenge of school closure, the STEAM Lab became virtual as Trevor expanded his YouTube channel for his students featuring xDesign and xShape, cloud software applications on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
xDesign for 3D printing in Middle School
The videos take students, from the beginning – no CAD experience – no design experience. Lessons are more than instruction; Trevor redesigned his course to reduce stress on his students by offering them flexibility where they learn, when they learn and on what device when not physically in his STEAM Lab.
With experience teaching high school in Baltimore City, MD, Trevor learned that high school and middle school students have jobs and take care of younger siblings when parents are working. Video instruction offers an option to leave his scheduled class time for questions and review areas where students need extra help.
Lessons start with a concept such as Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, Loft that correspond to the competencies taught at the advising Mariner Community Campus. The students develop a 3D model to demonstrate the concept, such as creating a knob for a measured pencil with the Revolve feature and a vase from the Loft feature with multiple planes.
Students send their completed model file to a 3D Printer in the STEAM Lab. The model is printed and placed in a bag for pick up at the school.
Trevor considers himself very fortunate to have great support from his principal and coordinating art teacher. His wife is also an educator, teaching from home.
Trevor thank you for sharing your creative xDesign and xShape videos with the SOLIDWORKS Community.
Be well. Marie
Marie Planchard
Categories: CAD, CAD Instructor, Mechanical Engineering, STEM Course, STEM Science Technology Engineering and Math, Technology, Uncategorized