AED, in the fall, is an introduction to the field of engineering in which we invent, design, and use many oral and visual communication methods, apply engineering standards, and technical documentation. In the spring, students are introduced to the field of architecture and they design their own house, applying residential building components and systems, and applying the standards that are used for visual communication in careers in the design and construction industry.

The course is based around project-based learning in which students will analyze, design and build 2D and 3D computer models of their own designs, using state of the art software programs, Autodesk Inventor® for engineering designs and REVIT® for their architectural designs.

Manual drafting and the technical visual communication standards of the industry are very important for students pursuing careers in architecture, interior design and engineering. By learning the techniques of drafting designs on the drawing table with conventional drawing tools, students will develop transferable skills in which they will be able to visually communicate their designs to others, whether to a professional contractor or to a layperson.

Students develop workplace skills by using technology, information, and other tools to communicate their designs while applying the professional standards of the industry.

Engineering in the fall semester 2019-2020

Technical Drawing on the Drafting Table, using manual drafting tools

Problem solving, inventing a 3-D puzzle, applying the design process:

Developing 3D modeling skills in Inventor

Problem solving, innovating design of tape dispenser, applying the design process:

3D modeling original tape dispenser design using AutoDesk Inventor

Presentation of original tape dispenser designs using AutoDesk Inventor in exploded views and assembled with tape and spools:

Annotated Working drawings AutoDesk Inventor

Architecture in the spring semester 2020

Before quarantine, during the 3rd marking period at school, we covered the design process of brainstorming and researching resources for our own original house design. We also focused upon the evolution of the American home and the functions of living spaces, and we spent a month developing our drawings of our kitchen and first floor layout on graph paper, intending to complete all the final floor plans, sections, and elevations on the computer, using Revit.

Quarantined at home, we discontinued our lessons with AutoDesk REVIT software and used manual drafting techniques to finish our house designs. The second floor, started at school, was finished at home.

In quarantine, during online learning from home, all students were provided drafting tools, a drafting board, drafting pencils, templates, vellum and supplies to complete the 2nd floor as a manually drafted technical drawing. We also completed our unit on Structure (Platform framing techniques) and created the last two drawings, the Section of the house (with foundation walls, footings, and the floor and wall supporting lumber), and the final front elevation.