Learn . Create . Succeed

Build a Great Pyramid with Teachers at Dassault Systemes

How do you combine math, science, technology, engineering, history, art, all to meet education standards in your classroom?  Biology teacher, Matthew Burns and physics teacher, Boris Gokhfeld from Waltham High School, MA, USA, created this project to share with you. 

The Great Pyramid Challenge is a three or four class unit on the engineering design process that helps students achieve national goals in engineering­ and thinking skills.  Students will learn about the engineering design process and practice the steps by building pyramids in teams using common household items. 

Visit the Great Pyramid build phase with Waltham High School students through this video.

Teachers at Dassault Systemes

Boris and Matt are part of Teachers at Dassault Systemes (TADS) program.  TADS combines our 3D Experience technology with innovative projects for the classroom.  The Great Pyramid project was developed for students in middle school and high school.

Corporate Citizenship

The TADS program has been nominated for a Boston College Corporate Citizenship film award.  If you like the project, please support these teachers by voting for Dassault Systemes here.

Downloads

You can download all the lesson plans and worksheets below.  Thank you Boris and Matt for creating such a great project.  Marie

Download Pyramid Project Teacher Edition (final)

Download Khufu Dollar

Download Day 1 Activity (Final)

Download Day 2 student worksheet (Final)

Download Day 2 teacher worksheet (Final)

Download Day 3 Activity (Final)

Presentation: http://prezi.com/jkrj7n5romeq/engineering-design-process/

SolidWorks World Celebrates Educators and Their Students

SolidWorks World 2013 is only a few days a way and I wanted to share with you the featured speakers at the Education Breakout Sessions.

Justin Lai, Lemelson MIT InvenTeams and  Dan Schab, math teacher, Michigan teacher of the year (2005-2006) and mentor, Williamston HS, will be featured on Wednesday afternoon.   Williamston High School students received a $10,000 grant to invent a solar powered rip current alert system for the Great Lakes.  Their session is on Wednesday January 23 at 2:45PM.

Williamston InvenTeams Students: Jake Brandon, Spencer Ottarson, and Michael Robinson, Caroline Rising, Erin Rubeck, Katy Shoecraft, Matthew Suandi, Lauren Van Streain, Stephen Wardell, Erin Wenk, and Julie Xu.

Williamston InvenTeams Teachers: Dan Schab, Bill Struck, and Steve Kersten 

Attendees will learn about how you can participate in InvenTeams from Justin and an actual student invention process with Dan.

This year there will be an emphasis on certification at SolidWorks World.  Students need good skills sets and the SolidWorks Certification Provider program helps you and your students get recognized and prove engineering graphics competencies.

John Edrington and Bryan Ray from Purdue University will be presenting a hands-on tips and tricks session for passing the CSWP Exam.  Attendees will receive a free coupon to take the CSWP exam.

Dean Kerste, Professor of Mechanical Design Technology, Monroe Community College addresses the needs of its area employers by developing classes that prepare its students for CSWA and CSWP exams.  Dean will also present how certifications meet Carl D Perkins Core Indicators of Performance.

Our SolidWorks Educator Reception will be held on Sunday at 4:30 - 5:15 PM in Oceanic 1, Dolphin Hotel.  Share your students' successes with the SolidWorks Education team and other fellow instructors. 

A complete list of the Education Breakout session is below.  There are 100's of other presentations too.  Marie

Tips and Tricks to Passing the CSWP Exam Hands-on.  Certification is a way to prove that you have the skills necessary to use SolidWorks effectively. In this session, you will be able to learn and practice some tips and tricks to make your exam smooth and painless. We will also show you a few of the most commonly missed questions on the exam and show you what you need to know to successfully answer them. Speakers: John Edrington, Visiting Assistant Professor, Purdue University New Albany and Bryan Ray, Visiting Lecturer, Purdue University, New Albany

Integrating Industry in Classroom Projects See how teachers can work with industry to design and build fun, real-world projects in the classroom. Learn how to create curriculum that makes students work-ready. We work with industry in the classroom to design and build real-world products with SolidWorks. Speakers: Marvin Bowling, Factory Maintenance and Construction, Sun Hydraulics and Richard Platt Engineering Teacher, Southeast High School

Say It, Record It, Post It Use your own videos, pictures, PowerPoint® displays, or computer screen to enhance the training library with a “YouTube®” method of recording lectures and/or training videos. Speakers: Bob Diaz,  Professor, College of Southern Nevada

CSWA and CSWP Certifications in the Classroom Listen to a case study on how a Michigan community college addressed the needs of its area employers by developing classes that prepare students for the CSWA and CSWP exams. In addition, the speaker will present how the certifications meet the Carl D. Perkins Core Indicators of Performance. Speakers: Dean Kerste, Professor of Mechanical Design Technology, Monroe County Community College

Confined Space Ventilation Modeling Using SolidWorks Flow Simulation Learn about (1) several ways of configuring flow models and boundary conditions, (2) comparisons to real-world data, and (3) automation of Flow Simulation. The presenter is currently developing a cloud-based online tool for agricultural confined-space ventilation systems using SolidWorks Flow Simulation. Speakers: Dan Hofstetter, Research Assistant, Penn State University

SolidWorks and the “Real World”: Preparing Graduates for Industry Hear a discussion of the curriculum content of SolidWorks courses at STCC, including how those courses provide industry skills required by manufacturing companies in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The link among students, faculty, industrial advisory group, and the SolidWorks user group are discussed. Speakers: Gary Masciadrelli Professor, Springfield Technical Community College and John Matrishon

Preparing Young Inventors for Industry Learn about Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams+F107, a national grants initiative for inventive high school students, that uses SolidWorks to design and build their technological solutions for a real-world problem. This brings students together with industry engineers to successfully build a working prototype showcased at MIT. Speakers: Justin Lai Invention Education Associate, Lemelson-MIT and Dan Schab, InvenTeams Educator, Williamston HS, Michigan

Entry Level Course in Graphics and Drafting Using SolidWorks Presentation encompasses the methods used to teach an entry level "Print Reading and Intro to CAD" class using SolidWorks. From first projection view to dimensions, notes and bills - this material lays the foundation for students' later success in further SolidWorks design and engineering courses. Speakers: Thomas Clark Professor, Rock Valley College

Non-traditional Techniques for Teaching SolidWorks SolidWorks can be taught electronically in an asynchronous fashion. Whether developing a distance class, a flipped classroom, or creating lessons for students who miss class, attendees will find a variety of tools and methods to address their needs. Speakers: David Urasky, Vocational Education Specialist, CCHEC

 

Professional Development for Teachers this Summer - Free From SolidWorks

If you are a teacher that needs professional development hours before school starts, wants to investigate STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) lessons, needs a great visualization tool, or just wants to learn what Computer Aided Design (CAD) can do for your students, then the SolidWorks Summer Edition Professional Development program for teachers is for you this July. 

I've been there - teaching in public education for 10 years.  You start your summer break and realize in July you didn't register for a needed summer class.  Instead you drove your daughter to swim lessons,  or helped your spouse paint the house.  Yet, you had a plan; read a good novel, clean a closet, and learn something new. 

That's where the SolidWorks Summer Edition comes in.  SolidWorks - 3D Computer Aided Design software application that lets you create 3 dimensional models - that look real, except they use computer software. 

Our commercial customers use SolidWorks to design amazing products that you use every day,  motorcycles, robots, sails, jetpacks (I wish I went to work this way), contact lens, guitars, and shoes. 

In school, teachers and their students create amazing models with SolidWorks to explain their projects, ideas and dreams.

So if you teach technology, math, science, engineering, art, history, English, Spanish, Foreign Language, music, communications  - or any other subject.  SolidWorks is a great skill to know. 

Here are a few examples from teachers around the world:

Technology- SolidWorks uses the latest software technology but it is easy enough for 10 year olds to use in their classroom, developed by teacher, Jack van den Broek, Netherlands. 

Science – the physics behind working machines, the result of products and materials on the environment.  If you need more examples, check out these Speedway tutorials by teacher, Pat Haley, USA. 

Art– just beautiful!  Use SolidWorks with photorealistic rendering.  

Spanish (or other foreign language) – install SolidWorks in Spanish/Chinese (provided your students speak/read another language) to learn how to read technical instructions in that language.  SolidWorks Student Guide is available in 14 languages.

Math – Geometry lessons lead to product design, developed by t4 Ireland.

Engineering – Design is what we do, hundreds of tutorials, global input including sustainable design.

History – recreate historic machines or artifacts like a viking ship, Portugal.

Communications – develop technical instructions and presentations,  Japan.

 

 So, how do you start?

1. Follow the instructions to download and install our SolidWorks Summer Edition.

2. We have created a series of tutorials in Getting Started with SolidWorks. 

3. Review each lesson.  You follow the steps.  There are worksheets you can review, but no homework will be given - after all it is the summer.

If you want a closer look at the SolidWorks community ask questions at our SolidWorks Forum for educators and students or join our www.Facebook.com/SolidWorksEducation page.

Don’t have time this summer? Then forward information on the SolidWorks Summer Edition to your students and their parents.  It will become a great response to “I’m bored.”  Marie

 

 

 

 

SolidWorks Education hosts Regional NASCAR STEM Student Racing Challenge

STEM - Science Technology Engineering and Math.  If you combine these subjects with RC Racing,  Tony Schumacher – U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster and seven-time champion and SolidWorks customer, 25 engineers from the US army and community, along with a great venue from Ten80 Education, you get 200 excited student to shout S--T--E--M and know what it means to their future.

SolidWorks EDU team hosted the NASCAR STEM Student Racing ChallengeThursday at our new DS America's facility in Waltham MA.  Our relator, Hobbs Brooks donate the enormous space and lunch needed for racing the fastest RC cars I've ever seen.

The best quote of the day was from Tony Schumacher who stated "you can't" bring a B game to an A+ race."  He has a racing team of 9 that need to be the best and engineer everything in his car from the very tip in the front to the last component in the back.  Tony also talked to the students about teamwork, the importance of STEM subjects and staying physically fit.

I met president of Ten80 Education, Terri Stripling 5 year ago, with her colleagues and a dream.  A dream of developing K12 program that excited all students around engineering and racing - with a focus on math and physics. Terry - you have created a success!

We all drive a car - girls want to drive as much as boys.  Ten80 makes it exciting for all students to learn about STEM subjects.

 The students moved in groups from event to event.

 Petroleum Independent Transportation (PIT) in this challenge, students charge their electric RC car ‘off the grid’ using renewable energies such as solar, wind, bio fuels and even hydrogen. In this rotation, students:

o Measure the voltage of batteries and examine a completed battery profile. Discuss ways to charge batteries.

o Measure ambient lighting conditions and wind conditions (fan) then discuss various .

o Examine solar and wind charging stations as well as a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell car.

 

The Robot  Race Car is a new project developed in part by MIT Lincoln Labs. It uses an open source Arduino chip and radar sensors. The first challenge is for students to assemble the Robot RaceCar and program it to autonomously drive a circular, walled track as fast as possible with as few crashes as possible. In this rotation, students will see the car in action, discuss the logic you could employ to improve its performance and ‘unpack’ the robot components.

Mechanics Certification & Chassis Setup Investigation students followed the leaders in examining and adjusting the cars. In this rotation, students learn about the car systems and many of the primary variables in optimizing performance of a race car. These include gear ratios, tire type, chassis geometry (camber, caster, toe). They also learn about some of the most common adjustments and repairs.

 Aerodynamics & Fabrication

In this rotation students examined major design variables that impact downforce and drag, the major aerodynamic forces.

 View a demonstration of plate car, wing car and sleek car while their models are showcased on the monitor.

 Look at progression of car body designs and SolidWorks Flow Simulation  (color print / spiral notebook for each group of 3 students) including a plate car, wedge and sleek car body design. The monitor is showing a simulation animation.

 Students predict using crayons, the general aero profile of a 4th car body design while the simulation runs on the monitor. Compare the predictions to the final images.

 Time permitting, students quickly sketch a dream car and annotate the aerodynamic features.

Students went outside on a beautiful spring day into the DS Americas courtyard to talk about fabrication of their future cars.

Driving

Students learned to drive on short oval tracks. 6 Groups of 5-6 students are at each of 6 tracks. A helper shows them how to operate the car then runs a relay race in which one student drives the car around the track and passes the transmitter to the next student. First team to have all 5 students complete a lap wins.

 Why do I like the STEM Racing Challange?  As a former professor of physics, math, and engineering, it is an exciting program for all students and it allows the teacher to use their own creativity while not being overwhelmed by the cost or the contest.  And racing cars, playing with gears and learning about drag is just fun!  Marie

 

SolidWorks Curriculum for Educators on the SolidWorks Customer Portal

SolidWorks provides curriculum, tutorials and projects for educators on our SolidWorks Customer Portal.

This video shows how you obtain your SolidWorks serial number, create an account and access the Customer Portal right inside of the SolidWorks Education Edition.

 
 
The projects are new for the 2011-2012 Education Edition.  Now the "Instructor's Guide to Teaching SolidWorks" and the "Student Guide to Learning SolidWorks" are available in 14 languages.  20 engineering design projects for students are found on the customer portal.

Students can access the workbooks and projects from within the Resources area under Student Curriculum or in the Design Library under SolidWorks Content.



Video: Download SolidWorks Curriculum LR

 

SolidWorks Simulation Student and Teacher Guides

The SolidWorks Simulation Guide features an introduction to the principles of analysis. Fully integrated with SolidWorks, design analysis is an essential part of completing a product. SolidWorks tools simulate the testing of your model’s prototype working environment. SolidWorks Flow Simulation is an analysis tool for predicting the characteristics of various flows over and inside 3D objects modeled by SolidWorks, thereby solving various hydraulic and gas dynamic engineering problems.

Languages for SolidWorks Flow Simulation: English, Japanese

Languages for SolidWorks Simulation & Motion: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish

For more information: http://www.solidworks.com/education

Calculating Area of a region bounded by two curves (secx)^2 and sin x in SolidWorks

  When Integration is introduced in Calculus, determining the Area of a region is a common exercise.  This video takes you through defining two sketches.  The upper bound is (secx)^2, the lower bound is sinx.  Using Sketch Driven Curve and that Surface Boundary feature, the area is determined in SolidWorks Tools, Section Properties between x = 0 and x = PI/4.  Marie. 

Video: Area of a region

eDrawing: Area of a Region

Determine the Volume of a Function Revolved Around the X Axis in SolidWorks

 This SolidWorks video tutorial takes you through how to enter a funtion 2+xcosx and revolve it around the x axis to create a solid.  Tools, Mass Properties is used to calculate volume and surface area.  Marie

Video: Download Revolve of 2plusxcosx

eDrawing: Download Volume-Pyramid

 

Determining Volume of a Pyramid in SolidWorks

Volume of a Pyramid, height along the x axis from x = 0 to x = 3 with a square base 3m x 3m.

 The video shows how to create this pyramid using a Loft feature in SolidWorks and comparing the Volume oof the model to the Volume of the analytical solution.  Marie

Video  Volume-Pyramid

eDrawing Volume-Pyramid

 

Introducing The STEM Academy

  I was fortuante to meet with educators this week at the ACTE conference in Nashville.  What a great time to be in technology and engineering education with the importance of making math and science relevant for all students.  That is why I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about our latest partnership with the STEM Academy www.stem101.org .     The STEM academy is an applied for US national not-for-profit 501 c3 status education program featuring curriculum for middle school and high school students.  The STEM Academy's education program develops a technology and engineering pipeline and qualifies for ARRA Race to the Top funds.

From my perspective as a mechanical engineer and an engineering educator, the STEM Academy offers educators and administrators a flexible, cost effective, and exciting option for their students .   The inclusion of sustainable design will empower all students to understand their influence on our environment in a global economy.

With industry partners and mentors, the STEM Academy offers students an important introduction to technology to make them competent adults with an excitement for math and science.  Some students will go on to be engineers, but more importantly, all student will have an understanding of solving problems, that is a life long skill.

Marie Planchard

The STEM Academy Overview: Download The STEM Academy