Overview

Our special education classroom needs low cost, individual and shared sensory learning activity centers to meet the needs/interests of medically fragile students.  Our engineering students researched, designed, 3D modeled and printed unique centers for these special students.

Project Initiation

Following a presentation by our special education teacher, students interviewed staff and observed students in their classroom before applying the Design process to meet this challenge. Students learned foundational engineering skills such as unit conversion, measurement, sketching, geometry, line conventions, 3D modeling, and 3D printing in addition to project management and client relations.

Project Exploration and Development

Working in teams, students took this project from inception to completion with many interim deliverables.  Students learned 

• Research, interviewing, brainstorming and the importance of field measurements.

• Team development and conflict resolution

• Client interviews to define constraints and opportunities

• Time management

• Student reflection

• Empathy, inclusion and a different perspective of student challenges

• Scale drawings, material selection/layout, multiview drawings, 3D models and 3D printed parts.

• Measuring, building, sanding, lab safety, 3D printer use/troubleshooting and good housekeeping

Students prepared scale drawings of centers for class/client feedback and display at 8th Grade Experience. Once approved, they measured, sanded, and cleaned cut pegboards and/or painted activity arches, selected, laid out and mounted sensory items, created 3D models and annotated, dimensioned drawings.  Unique 3D printed parts were printed, complete with troubleshooting and revision to make a one of a kind activity center for each student.

Project Revision and Exhibition

Students received feedback and displayed their in progress work at the 8th grade Experience.  Regrettably the celebration/presentation of arches to students was postponed due to COVID-19 closure.

Teachers and Subjects

Patricia Samora - Intro to Design
Robyn Duarte - Special Education, Medically Fragile classroom