Rich Wells, Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas, USA is teaching design, engineering and analysis courses to his students. His students are using SOLIDWORKS.  But early this summer, Rich and three of his colleagues put together the “Robots and Rockets” Summer Camp for kids in grades 4-8 to have fun learning about with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) projects.

Campers got to work on:

1. Dissection (Fish and Cow Eyeball)
2. Lego Mindstorms Robots
3. 3D Printing / 3D Design
4. Laser Cutting

The 3D Printing and 3D Design activity centered around SOLIDWORKS Apps for Kids.  SOLIDWORKS Apps for Kids software tools, Shape-It and Style-It allowed students to learn about 3D Design and Modeling.

The Print-It app allowed these campers to see their creations and learn about 3D Printing technology.

Rich used the SOLIDWORKS Apps for Kids Classroom App to manage the students’ assignments/work in the class.

Robots and Rockets camp was so successful last year – the community asked for more.  So Rich and team set the cap, but 52 students signed up.  The solution – run two sections.

We are fortunate to have Rich as a member of the SOLIDWORKS Community.  This is his “second career” and brings to students, of all ages, a wealth of engineering knowledge from General Motors and the original EV1. Yes, there was an electrical vehicle before most of my students were born ~1996 – 1999.

Rich is a role model to his students and the community as a leader for medical missions to Central America.

Rich – thank you, your colleagues and Harding University for hosting this great summer camp.  Thank you too for sharing with the SOLIDWORKS Community.

Design well, Marie

Marie Planchard

Senior Director, Early Engagement, 3DEXPERIENCE Works at Dassault Systemes

Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach for the 3DEXPERIENCE Works products across all levels of learning including educational institutions, Fab Labs, and entrepreneurship.