What an exciting Career Day at Kate Smith Elementary in Sparks, Nevada! Kate Smith Elementary had a STEM focused career day to help inspire the kids to explore the path of 3D Engineering!
I spoke to four different classes ranging from 4th to 6th grade. Students asked me if they could use 3D engineering to design the robot Boston Dynamics has been working on in SOLIDWORKS. Or maybe a Ferrari…
I was able to present the students with Minecraft and Quad Copter models, showing them some of the tools SOLIDWORKS has to offer. I showed them how SOLIDWORKS gives 3D engineers the option to virtually test a model before it’s manufactured. We reviewed the Collision Detection tool, which is used to ensure the moving components of the assembly won’t collide with other parts.
When I showed the students that by moving the propeller on the Quad Copter, it would collide with the guard, they used 3D engineering to help me figure out why that wouldn’t work properly (with my guidance, of course). The guard was in the wrong spot, so we moved it in order to replicate how a Quad Copter functions in reality.
We then talked about other ways to prototype with the use of 3D printers! We discussed how 3D printing can save money and time by completing a model of what is being designed before taking it to be manufactured.
The students were quite brilliant and able to show me how important it is to prototype virtually and use a 3D printer as it saves time, money and even prevents mistakes.
As I was leaving the school, I was told by many students that they now want to be engineers! I was a super hero! What a successful day!