Author Archives: Marie Planchard
Formula SAE Michigan – Day 4 – For the Love of Engineering
After a heavy thunderstorm, the temperature has dropped. Drivers had to make a gambling tire decision for a wet or a dry track. I continue to find the love of engineering today, first I met the Northwestern team waiting in
... ContinuedFormula SAE Michigan – Day 3 – For the Love of Engineering
Last night the team had dinner at a Jackson restaurant and were greated by thankful cheers from the University of Akron for their SolidWorks sponsorship. We truly considers ourselves fortunate to meet such passionate young engineers. Today we also met members
... ContinuedFormula SAE Michigan – Day 2 – For the Love of Engineering
So it's day 2 of FSAE Michigan and the weatherman predicted rain – except it turned out to be 85F (30C). Dressing in a suit and tie for the design presentation or a fire resistant driving suit for the dynamic
... ContinuedF1inSchools drives success for STEM education
Sometimes you just have a good today. That was today in Michigan at the US F1inSchools finals at Formula SAE. I met Team Raptor, Kelly, Sabine, Anna, and Claire. These girls, now in East Cobb Middle School, Marietta Georgia have been using SolidWorks
... ContinuedSolidWorks Green Design Contest for You and Your Students
Announcement: SolidWorks launches the SolidWorks Green Design Contest Click here for details. Empower you students to make the right decisions in their designs. You and your students can participate and win prizes. Commercial customers can enter too. As I sat in an airport
... ContinuedTexas A&M SAE Aero Design Team Flies with SolidWorks
I first met members of the Texas A&M SAE Aero Design team when they displayed their plane at SolidWorks World 2011. So what is SAE Aero Design? You think of SAE for Formula, Baja, Hybrid – cars. But there is
... ContinuedCalifornia State University, Northridge students work anywhere with SolidWorks and HP
Last week I attended the ASEE Engineering Dean's Institue and was fortunate to speak with Dean Ramesh at California State University, Northridge who explained to me how his students were able to run SolidWorks at any time, from any place
... ContinuedWPI Student Bloggers have a passion for SolidWorks
I went to visit my husband David at WPI last week and was amazed at the dynamics in the lab. Three of his tutors were helping out students – but they were not scheduled to work. They just enjoy helping out
... ContinuedHappy Birthday greeting with SolidWorks Assembly Model
When WPI students Dave and Ian found out it was my husband's birthday today, they sent him this SolidWorks birthday greeting. What a great cake model! The SolidWorks Assembly Models of cake, candles, serving plate and cake server are available below.
... ContinuedNational Academy Foundation (NAF) and The STEM Academy Call for Proposals
For US High Schools: The National Academy Foundation (NAF) and The STEM Academy have a unique opportunity to apply for funding from the National Science Foundation to develop fifteen new Academies of Engineering. NAF and The STEM Academy are seeking
... ContinuedSabertooth Robotics gets ready for AUVSI and other Robotic Competitions
WPI's Sabertooth Robotics students are getting ready for colleagiate robot competitions including RICC (ricc.wpi.edu) on April 10 and AUVSI on August 16. I was lucky to see their work unfold on their website and flickr photos and asked for
... ContinuedMy Best Final Exam is the Certified SolidWorks Associate Exam
Wow, then end of March finds me visiting so many schools between robot competitions, capstone design projects, and senior presentations. Instuctors have so much to do during this time between final exams, graduation, grant proposals, and writing letters of recommendation
... ContinuedSolidWorks Sheet Metal Rocket Student Project
The SolidWorks sheet metal tools was one of my favoirte areas to explore with my students. There was such a look of amazement between the formed and flat states. Although my school did not have any sheet metal forming or braking equipment, I had my
... ContinuedIt’s National Pi Day 3/14 and I have been celebrating SolidWorks all weekend!
National Pi Day! Who would have thought that this little greek letter could have so much power! I started my celebration early, this weekend I say "Apple Pi" the mascot for the FRC Robotics Team 2067 at the WPI FIRST
... ContinuedEngineers Week: Reflection
So it’s Engineering Week – and I have had an opportunity to reflect on how my family and my teachers guided me to this profession that I love. You could say I grew up in my father’s garage – literally.
... Continued