As the school year gets rolling here at MHS so do student projects. Here is an example of some of the things we have been working on in MiLAB. We used the CNC machine to create the MHS logo and it was brought to life by an outstanding paint job from Alyssa Barrows. Students have been utilizing the 3D printers, one student created his own design for an end cap to a hockey stick. Others have been utilizing the laser cutter/engraver . We also added a nicer front for the table saw to make cutting safer and more functional.
The school year 2022/2023 has begun. MiLAB has made substantial progress since last year and received all the equipment and been set up for the ease of use and learning to take place. Students helped complete a large built-in, which consisted of 7 cabinets and 14 cabinet doors all made here in the lab. Signage is now being produced as well. Collaborations are taking place daily with the Links Program as well as the Futures Academy as we continue to try and build support and positive learning opportunities for students.
There have been some nice collaborations over the past month as the MiLAB as it is nearing completion of its set up. There were several field trips in partnership with the futures program to expose students to educational and workforce opportunities. Students visited RYCO Trucking, Porter and Chester Trades Institute, Cape Cod Community College and QP Construction Inc. Special thanks to all these schools and businesses that took time out to give students some insight into the opportunities out there. Shout out to Mr. Boisvert for collaborating on a school math project that involves probability. Students are in the process of creating games that demonstrate the concepts that they have learned and will soon have physical games to play and that could be utilized by other students or younger grades. Also, congratulations to all the seniors that have worked so hard and we wish them the best in the future.
The past couple weeks in the MiLAB we began with a learning experience made possible by Sign Design in Brockton. This was a great opportunity for students to see first hand how CNC technology, Laser cutting and Printing is put into practice on a large scale, and used in a profitable business. We can't say enough about the generous staff at Sign Design that was so helpful and kind, Thank you. It is also worth noting that students learned what it meant for a business to be employee owned, which Sign Design is, and they mentioned this as a great source of pride. Moving forward, the built in benches are really coming along in the lab and many students have contributed to their construction. Also, a shout out to Mr. Fitzgibbon who decided to collaborate on a project to demonstrate the physics of motion. Students where introduced to some tools and worked in small groups to produce the components needed for their project. More to come after break on that.
This past week in the MiLab we had a guest speaker. Bailee Amaral was kind enough to drop by and give a presentation on her experience at Roger Williams University as she is studying construction management. Bailee was a graduate of Old Colony Regional Technical school and received similar training to some of the projects and learning that is taking place in the MiLab. Bailee said she really loved the hands on aspect of her program at Old Colony and it started by building projects just as we are doing at MHS. In college, she learned that there are so many jobs connected to the construction industry and that lead her to the filed of construction management. She recently went on a school trip to Las Vegas and was fortunate to gain particular insight into the latest happening in the construction management industry which she said was one of the highlights so far. We thank her for her time to share with our students. The MiLab is also in the process of building the large built in cabinet that will be along the outside wall. This is a project that students are able to help on and see all the various stages of this large cabinet being built. This will be a focal point in the space that helps to organize tools and other materials.
This week in MiLAB Innovation Center students continued to design and create. Name plates are in the process of being made for all staff. Please be patient, all staff will get one free of charge. As part of an exciting end to our week, the Futures Program had its first field trip to a local business. Rilee Craft in Middleboro is a local craft shop that makes high end cabinetry and furniture and is located in the center of town. Part of this field trip was designed to introduce students to the way local businesses run and operate. Rilee Craft was started by a husband and wife team, Sarah and Wayne Davis, who exemplify what it means to be a local and part of the community. The students were able to gain a first hand look into the custom production line that they have created here in Middleboro. Sarah and Wayne described what it was like to be the entrepreneurs, managers, and technicians of their own business. Milab thanks them for this opportunity to expose students and we look forward to future field trips to local businesses in the future. Ultimately, the goal is for students students to more closely see the connection between school and jobs.
This week in MiLAB Innovation Center students really took the lead in assembling machinery and working on various projects. Students built a rolling base for the thickness sander and installed vises on the work benches. Also, as part of a collaborative project for the science class the Aimes program began building birdhouses that will be used to house some of Massachusetts prized wildlife. As the lab continues to be built it is exciting to see the students invested in helping in its construction. This will surely be something they can look back on and feel a sense of pride as they worked on it in its foundation. Students should also look in the Program of Studies for the class Introduction to Innovation and Applied Technology in the MiLAB that will be offered next year and in multiple sections.
The past couple weeks in the MiLAB Innovation Center have been exciting for the fact that the school received some of the large equipment that was ordered back in the fall. This equipment includes a table saw that has safety build in to its design. Upon human contact with the blade it will automatically stop. We also received, lathes, a bandsaw, planer jointer, and our large CNC machine. All this equipment will be used to teach students hands on skilled related to manufacturing, furniture making, sign design and beyond. Also, a huge thank you to Ms. Rufo who brought in Mr. Crutchfield from Crutchfield Signs in Middleboro to assist with the installation of the new Cranberry Café sign. Take a look next time you pass by the café!
This week in the MiLAB Innovation Center we continued to explore some unique laser projects that incorporate both engraving and cutting. Ex. Panda Bear. 3D printing proved useful for prototyping as well as making chess pieces. These prints are part of a larger project where a student is designing and making his own chess board while also printing the chess pieces from scratch. A table that we built prior received an improvement with added wheels and a shelf to give it more functionality. Also, a few new students engaged in making a multi level shelf that will be used in the classroom. I also got to see students present their projects in Mrs. Morano's sports medicine class. They all built models using the 3D printers, this was exciting to see that they were able to use the technology to enhance their projects. Thanks for your interest and engagement and have a great weekend.
This week in the MiLAB Innovation Center students from MET completed their emblem. This was a collaborative project through multiple grade levels that are involved with MET. Thank you Mr. Pellitier for collaborating and creating the opportunity for students to gain some insight outside of their normal scope. Any subject can make a connection with MiLAB. Cross-curricular projects are beneficial for students in many ways in that they own the content and draw new connections to other subjects or skills. Having hands on applications helps students build strong connections to their learning as well as real life problem solving skills. On another note, there is exciting progress within MiLAB, the electrical work is getting done that is needed to power a wide variety of additional tools that will allow for more in depth projects around CNC, furniture making, wood engineering, and carpentry.
This week in the MiLAB Innovation Center we began by using some laser technology to decorate Vlad our pumpkin vampire as a part of Advisory Group. This was a fun and exciting project and we had nice contributions from everyone in our group. Tuesday brought myself and Kyle Akin, one of MHS seniors, to IDEX Health and Science Company. Here, we were given a tour of the facility and a chance to talk with the head of human resources about a potential partnership, job opportunities and internships for MHS students. Lastly, we would like to thank all the essential workers that worked through the storm at getting power back on and keeping the school safe. Without skilled trades men and woman out there our community would cease to function.
Thank You.
This week in the MiLAB Innovation Center we had some exciting happenings. First, I want to give a shout out to a former alumni, Mr. Brandon McCullock from SignDesign in Brockton. Brandon is one of the heads of design at this company that is very successful and has over 65 employees. He talked with myself and students about what he does and its relation to what we are doing in MiLAB with vector graphics and design. There is lot that goes into a business that large and it was very insightful. (Thanks to Mrs. McCullock for making this happen too:) Also we had a student 3D print a part for his phone that was missing, this shows some nice problem solving skills! The completion of the table for our laminator happened, thanks Dylan. Finally, speaking of signs, we had two of Mr. Pellitier's students work on making the MET sign for video production which is nearing completion. Great work!
The laser cutter/engraver can work on a variety of materials, it can cut rough paper, wood, acrylic etc... This is a really cool machine to incorporate with graphic design.
This week in MiLAB Innovation Center students continued to design and create. Name plates are in the process of being made for all staff. Please be patient, all staff will get one free of charge. As part of an exciting end to our week, the Futures Program had its first field trip to a local business. Rilee Craft in Middleboro is a local craft shop that makes high end cabinetry and furniture and is located in the center of town. Part of this field trip was designed to introduce students to the way local businesses run and operate. Rilee Craft was started by a husband and wife team, Sarah and Wayne Davis, who exemplify what it means to be a local and part of the community. The students were able to gain a first hand look into the custom production line that they have created here in Middleboro. Sarah and Wayne described what it was like to be the entrepreneurs, managers, and technicians of their own business. Milab thanks them for this opportunity to expose students and we look forward to future field trips to local businesses in the future. Ultimately, the goal is for students students to more closely see the connection between school and jobs.