Session 9

Two Technologies, One Workflow: 3D Printing Meets Injection Molding

Location: Polymer Classroom 191 Wilber

Presented by Nathaniel Horn

Desktop injection molding just got a whole lot more accessible! What if your students could design a part in CAD, 3D print the mold, and then actually injection mold that part—all in the classroom? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore how using the Injeckto 3 desktop injection molding machine and 3D printers bring real-world manufacturing processes into the technology education program. Students design molds in CAD, 3D print them, and then use those molds to produce functional, injection-molded parts. This workflow creates an exciting connection between CAD, additive manufacturing, and traditional manufacturing, giving students the opportunity to see their digital designs move from screen to prototype to finished product.

This session repeats in Session 8: Friday, 1:15 - 2:00 pm in the Polymers Classroom 191 Wilber

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From TEECA to the classroom 

Location: Methods Lab 213 Park

Presented by Gillian Lopez

This presentation explores how lessons and activities developed for TEECA competitions can be adapted into meaningful, real-world classroom experiences. I will share my competition-based lessons highlighting the instructional strategies, hands-on activities, and materials used in each. Participants will see how these competition concepts can be modified to fit a classroom setting, connect to curriculum standards, and provide students with authentic opportunities to design, build, problem-solve, and apply technical skills. 

This session repeats in Session 8: Friday, 1:15 - 2:00 pm in the Methods Lab 213 Park

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Are We Becoming the Tools of Our Tools?

Location: Design Studio 203 Park

Presented by Christopher Stein

In 1854, Henry David Thoreau published Walden; or, Life in the Woods. In it he documented his two years and two months living on his own away from civilization and technology. In this book, he questions whether humans have become the tool of their tools. In this critical thinking presentation, I will try to explain the balance of technology and nature, and examine what technologies like A.I. promise, but actually deliver. I will also try to give helpful tips and provide a simple design project for your schools and communities to achieve better balance. 

This session repeats in Session 8: Friday, 1:15 - 2:00 pm in the Design Studio 203 Park

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Transportation Technology Systems Curriculum Roundtable

Location: Transportation Lab 115 Park

Presented by Anthony Amitrano, Patrick Mauro, and David Bender

This interactive roundtable is designed for technology education teachers working in small engines, automotive, and transportation systems. Participants will have the opportunity to share curriculum materials, successful classroom and laboratory activities, instructional resources, and equipment ideas. The discussion will also explore current challenges, emerging technologies, state standards, industry partnerships, and future opportunities for transportation-related programs. Attendees are encouraged to bring lesson ideas, activities, and questions to share with the group.

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"You'll be right" to Figure Out Tangible Challenges, While Learning About Tradies, TAFE, and Technology Education from a "Chalkie" in NSW Australia.

Location: Communications Lab 102 Park 

Presented by John Bonus and Greg Pitonza

"Good on ya" to have a conversation with John Bonus, about Technology Education in New South Wales.  Get his firsthand insights, find out how his students thrive, and see the value of teaching design and technology in Australia, while doing a series of puzzles and challenges with STEM concepts and out of the box thinking.

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American Sign Language Recognition Glove

Location: Metals Lab 163 Wilber

Presented by Alex Klecha, Ever Hernandez, and Miles Hedderman

Bridging communication gaps between deaf and hearing individuals requires accessible, real-time translation tools. This presentation introduces a lightweight, wireless glove paired with a machine learning algorithm to translate American Sign Language into text. Flexible finger sensors and spatial tracking capture intricate gestures with high translation accuracy.

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Underwater Positioning System for Submersible Tracking

Location: CAD Lab 101 Park

Presented by Jude Padgett, Alex Wilder, and Emily Stedman

Tracking submersibles underwater is challenging because standard satellite GPS signals cannot penetrate water. This project presents an acoustic positioning system that locates submerged targets. Using a

floating surface buoy and a four-hydrophone receiver array, the system measures sound arrival time differences to calculate precise 2D horizontal coordinates.

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Smart Parking Building

Location: Electronics Lab 205 Park

Presented by Phyllis Winwae Benyah and Behold Zamor

Searching for available parking in multi-level garages creates traffic congestion, wasted time, and unnecessary emissions. This session showcases a smart garage prototype designed to streamline urban parking. Overhead ultrasonic sensors, color-coded LEDs, automated gates, and a wireless driver interface work together to guide vehicles to open spots and track billing.