Beyond the Project
From blueprints to building projects, Hamilton Southeastern students are learning real-world skills in engineering and construction classes. In civil engineering and architecture, Intro to engineering design, precision machining, students learn how to build and fix real-world problems and and projects.
In civil engineering and architecture, students will learn to use software to solve real-world problems and communicate solutions through hands-on projects and activities. Kevin Ray a teacher of engineering and construction and Intro to engineering design at HSE high school.
A CAD program is a innovative way for students to create and design things online through a screen. This helps students look and figure out what to do before they start making the final project.
“Students create their own dream home in a CAD program and then students create a mini model of their dream home,” Ray said.
This Project Lead the Way course is a way for students to get an overview of the different fields of civil engineering and architecture while discussing what both fields of do in the real-world. Students also learn the important aspects of building and site design.
“The Civil Engineering class will benefit students by helping them understand how infrastructure and the built environment are designed and constructed. Through hands-on projects and design challenges, students will learn about structures, materials, surveying, transportation systems, and construction methods,” Ray stated.
For the Intro to engineering and design class, this course is the first level in typical course sequences in technology education. This class opens up many different CTE courses outside and in school for future students looking to take it.
“IED gives students the opportunity to learn through hands-on projects and real-world problem solving,” Ray said. “Instead of only learning from textbooks, students design, build, test, and improve their own projects while working as part of a team.”
This Project Lead the Way course develops student problem-solving skills using the design process. Students dig deep into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects like designing a new toy or improving an existing product.
“The Introduction to Engineering course benefits students by giving them a strong foundation in problem solving, critical thinking, and the engineering design process,” Ray stated. “Students learn how to identify problems, develop solutions, test ideas, and improve their designs through hands-on projects and collaborative work. These skills are valuable not only in engineering but in many future careers.”
This course is a key to introducing students to real-world problems and giving them a unique way of looking at things.
In the class precision machining, students figure out how to work with different tools and machines they might not have much experience or time with. Brian Clawson is a teacher of the class precision machine at HSE high school.
“The Precision Engineering courses is a hands-on learning environment,” Clawson said. “We will spend roughly eighty percent of our time in lab working with our hands. They will have the opportunity to design and fabricate pieces to make and take home as well.”
This class gives students a nice example of working with high tech machines and letting kids know that they can make a variety of things they can think of. They can use these machines to make designs and carve into different hands-on projects.
“First and second year students will have the opportunity to design and machine a custom machine keychain for themself, a license plate, and use the CNC plasma table to fabricate a sign,” Clawson stated.
Students really enjoy this class for hands on time in the lab and letting their imagination drive them to whatever they want to design. Using these skills students can get ahead and let themselves explore the possibilities of future things to create.
These different courses in the CTE department give all students the opportunity to look at things a little differently. Hamilton Southeastern’s CTE department also give students an awesome jumpstart on future careers they could have later in life.
