Buena Park Junior High, neighbors to Esterline Corporation a specialized manufacturing company serving principally aerospace and defense markets, recently began offering a 3D design and CAD course as part of it’s STEM program. The class became operational due to the generous donation of two high powered laptop computers, two 3D printers along with supplies, and licenses to a professional grade CAD software classed SolidWorks.
Buena Park Junior High, neighbors to Esterline Corporation a specialized manufacturing company serving principally aerospace and defense markets, recently began offering a 3D design and CAD course as part of it’s STEM program. The class became operational due to the generous donation of two high powered laptop computers, two 3D printers along with supplies, and licenses to a professional grade CAD software classed SolidWorks.
Students take this course as part of their elective program and learn how to create computer-generated images. The images the students create can then be printed in three dimensions using the 3D printers.
3D printing and CAD software have been around for a long time and have been primarily used for advanced prototyping in engineering and architecture. Until recently such technology was far too expensive for schools to afford. Thanks to the Esterline Corporation, which employs similar technology in its industry, students at Buena Park Junior High can begin an interest in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics careers.
After learning the basics of the CAD software students begin building projects in the computer lab. Students spend hours meticulously working on their designs before going to print. Once ready the students start their prints using the 3D printer and wait to see the results. Students create iPhone docks, keychains, custom rings, or replicas of favorite things with custom additions.
As this class grows Buena Park Junior High would like to see a mentor program develop with local engineers and CAD designers that use similar processes in their work. Through this mentorship students can gain important insight into future career paths and learn the steps necessary to achieve that goal.
