Class Concept, Engineering Design for Makers

DMS General
1

Hi all, mods feel free to move as necessary, though I figured the general subsection might be the best place because the course concept is kind of multidisciplinary regarding committee purview.

This post is to gauge interest in an A to Z (ie comprehensive) styled lecture/discussion/project series I’m thinking of doing on Engineering Design specifically for makers. I have included my rough draft for the 101 (first class) description below(which is more of a whole course overview than single class description).

TITLE:

  • Engineering Design 101: Thinking like an Engineer

TAGLINE:

  • A crash course in thinking like an engineer, for makers. Learn how to go from idea to reality, and the tools available to get you along your way.

DESCRIPTION:

  • Learn how to conceptualize, design, build, and assess prototypes that solve engineering problems in your life. Always losing your keys? Tables sliding around on your hardwood floor? Sink faucet too close to the edge of the bowl? These are a few lighthearted first world problem case studies we will look at from an engineering perspective in order to discover engineering principles you can apply to projects big or small.
    This is a series of lectures and hands on activities teaching you how to DIY (do it yourself) better through the Makerspace and the tools it provides by learning and applying general engineering principles. Course highlights include a basic introduction to drafting, Computer aided design (CAD), 3D printing, design tradeoffs, and prototype analysis. *
    This course will be oriented towards creating solution prototypes on the Makerspace 3D printers, however I can provide tips and general knowledge about designing with wood, metals or other materials. Courses may be offered in the future with projects geared towards woodshop, metalshop, machine shop, or cross-committee (multi-material and process) creations, which would necessarily be gated by tool training prerequisites.

I’m still working on the individual lesson plan/2nd+ week class details but have a rough outline of what I want to accomplish, I’m thinking I would format it as a ~6 week course meeting once a week for 2-3 hrs. The later weeks will include an interactive/group project component. I will probably run two groups simultaneously (ex, a monday night group and a wed night group) depending on total interest. Class cohort would probably be in the 4-6 people range.

Rough class catalog:
Engineering Design 101: Intro to Engineering Design for Makers (basic course overview lecture)
Engineering Design 102: Tools for Successful Solutions (lecture focusing on the steps towards final project)
101/102 are probably 1 hr each, so if doing longer classes (in that 2-3 hr range) I will probably combine the topics.
Engineering Design 103: THINK IT (Identify a problem)
Engineering Design 104: Think it, PLAN IT (design a solution)
Engineering Design 105: Think it, Plan it, MAKE IT (develop a solution via 3d prototype)
Engineering Design 106: Think it, Plan it, make it, BREAK IT (testing and design tradeoff)
Engineering Design 107: Think it, Plan it, make it, break it…. REMAKE IT (solution iteration and course recap)

Let me know your thoughts, suggestions, and interest.
The poll is to gauge interest and rough times only. I didn’t include weekend dates because there’s always more classes happening on weekends and wouldn’t want to make people miss out on those. If you’d prefer weekends, comment below. If you’d prefer class times outside of evenings, comment below. Anything else… Comment below. :yum:

  • Monday 5-8PM
  • Monday 7-10PM
  • Tuesday 5-8PM
  • Tuesday 7-10PM
  • Wednesday 5-8PM
  • Wednesday 7-10PM
  • Thursday 5-8PM
  • Thursday7-10PM
  • Friday 5-8PM
  • Friday 7-10PM
0 voters
4 Likes
2

please keep us posted. sounds like tons of fun.

3

A question someone PM’d me about:
Will I have an age restriction?

Answer:
The class as envisioned is most suited for those 13+, I have not decided if that will be an actual requirement. There will be a lot of info covered and classes will be several hours long.

If there is enough interest with parent/guardians I may offer a modified series more suitable for the 8-13yr range of young learners as a class meant for 3 or 4 pairs of parent/child teams to complete together.
If I were to do something like that it would most likely be in the summer time.

4

Making a quick bump, looks like there’s enough interest for a single class on Friday nights. If you’re interested, but haven’t put a time(s) on the poll please do so.

1 Like
5

This looks awesome! As a tech teacher who is used to seeing non-techies’ eyes glaze over, might I invite you to consider keeping things bite-sized if you are gearing the class for non-engineers?

Two hours is a long time for a lecture but will fly by if there’s a project component to match the lesson.

If you just want engineers, then no worries for a long lecture.

My 2 cents.

6

Yep, geared for makers, not engineers. Planning a project component, I thought I mentioned it in my description but may have forgot.
Edit: changed original post a bit to better highlight that it is not a pure lecture series.

1 Like
7

Ok, looks like Friday around 7-10pm is the best day/time. I will be getting the first series of events up soon, to start the first class sometime in May, every Friday until the series is completed.

Class size will be for 6 people to keep it easy to manage collaboratively. I will make a second class series starting the following tuesday as well, for all those that want a different time or don’t get into the Friday courses, and that will run every Tuesday around 7-10pm until all course materials are completed, same as the first (Friday) group.
Classes may not run the full three hours each time, it just depends on how much material/activities are done for each day.

1 Like