This is a KS4 Engineering project that my year 10's do (14 year olds). It gives the students choice and the opportunity to work creatively. The outcome is a quality product that works well, most importantly at the end of the project all the students will want to take their work home......empty work box = awesome project.
The students can choose either to make a desk light which is more functional, or a mood light which is more aesthetic. Check out the video to see how the magnetic switch adds extra awesomeness to the product.
Learning Objective
Students will design and make either a functional or decorative light. The design process reflects how professional design engineers work by teaching students creative designing skills to produce a unique and original design idea, and then how to make a virtual prototype using 3D CAD software. To stretch and challenge the students the project introduces more advanced measuring and marking skills, metal fabrication and forming, the properties of thermo / thermosetting plastics and how to manipulate their properties to make the design. The students will be introduced into basic electronic components and will be required to neatly house the circuit in their lamp. Lastly the students are required to recall and apply prior learning and knowledge of using engineering machinery and joining methods.
Project info
This project costs approximately £2.50 per student
I have attached the project work sheets
The students can choose either to make a desk light which is more functional, or a mood light which is more aesthetic. Check out the video to see how the magnetic switch adds extra awesomeness to the product.
Learning Objective
Students will design and make either a functional or decorative light. The design process reflects how professional design engineers work by teaching students creative designing skills to produce a unique and original design idea, and then how to make a virtual prototype using 3D CAD software. To stretch and challenge the students the project introduces more advanced measuring and marking skills, metal fabrication and forming, the properties of thermo / thermosetting plastics and how to manipulate their properties to make the design. The students will be introduced into basic electronic components and will be required to neatly house the circuit in their lamp. Lastly the students are required to recall and apply prior learning and knowledge of using engineering machinery and joining methods.
Project info
This project costs approximately £2.50 per student
I have attached the project work sheets
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Nature is by far the best engineer, it creates the strongest structures, it makes the most beautiful designs, and its secrets have been the inspiration of many historic and iconic engineering achievements..........so we will use it to inspire our designs. Ask the students to bring in images to inspire their work.... some suggestions below.
If you look at the 'Ideas' page you can see that the design does not look like the inspiration image, this does not matter, the images are there to inspire shapes......there is no right or wrong here......if you end up with a design......mission accomplished :)
- Sliced Peppers
- Sliced Oranges
- Any tropical fruit....sliced
- Architectural plants (see photos)
- Any other natural item that has a structure or pattern e.g. wood grain
If you look at the 'Ideas' page you can see that the design does not look like the inspiration image, this does not matter, the images are there to inspire shapes......there is no right or wrong here......if you end up with a design......mission accomplished :)
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No wonder why American schools lag behind everyone else!
This is embarrassing to say the least to the American school system. *shakes head*
I think it's beyond awesome that things like this are taught over there...I mean, this goes WAAAAAAAAAY beyond my understanding or abilities, but the end result(in this case the light) is fantastic!!!
TY for sharing Sir! :)
-stu
It is rare, but there are many teachers in the US that are doing similarly awesome hands-on work with their students. Check out some of their submissions in the Teacher Contest. Instructables is trying to help bring this level of instruction to any teacher who wants to try it.
Power tools? Too dangerous!!! Sheet metal? Too many sharp edges- some one might cut themselves!!! You get the idea. Too many GI Bill educated lawyers came out of the Viet Nam Vetrens.
When I was in the 3rd grade (early 1970's) we had basic hand tools and a scrap wood bin in class. During free time anyone could build simple projects. By the 7th grade I was in metal shop and running a lathe as well as learning to gas weld. Tell most that now and you are looked at like you are crazy. Or, they wonder what was wrong with your parents for allowing you to do it. Kudos to jonnyd55 for finding a way to offer building projects to young minds.
Well done! !
as a side note if you don't have the materials or tools for bending the metal. 1/8" ABS with a painted chrome/silver backing would be a great alternative to the aluminum.
As for shaping the ally....if you dont have rollers... get a solid bar or pipe approx 2" in diameter and a leather mallet. Then bash the ally around the bar/pipe......you can get surprisingly good results from this :)
ill defiantly show some pictures when i get around to it.
cheers.
I assume it is a part of a series of classes not taught in American schools.
We used to have up through the 1960's some pretty good Industrial Education "Shop" Classes.
Letter Press and Cold Type Printing, Woodworking, Wood Turning, Welding (popular with farm boys), Plastics, Electrical, etc.
Industrial Arts books from the 1930's to 1950 showed how to make electric buzzers, bells, telegraphs, earphones, microphones and crystal radios.
I actually learned to solder with a GAS heated SOLDERING COPPER in the seventh grade (age 12-14).
I spent grades 1-4 in a one room rural school where the teacher made certain that everyone knew how to sew on a button and make a button hole. (Lost arts??)
Have your class see how a WHITE PETE (plastic) bottle can act as a difuser for super bright LEDs. Energy shot drinks come in White PETE bottles. ( "/1\ PETE" recycle mark on the bottom.)
I had a wild idea for a TV series about six girls who try to build an electric car. I call it "Gadget Girls". It could break some stereotypes and get some girls into the shop classes.
KS3 = 11 - 13 year olds
KS4 = 14-16 year olds
KS5 = 17-18 year olds