Central High School (CHS) engineering teacher Michael Hair introduced his students to a hands-on project that pushed the boundaries of learning. And they rose to the occasion! Combining technology with their creativity, they built something entirely from scratch.
Designing with Inventor Software
The idea was for students to design something unique, using Autodesk Inventor, a professional design software. They mapped out precise details to meet engineering standards.
“This was more than clicking buttons,” said Mr. Hair. “Students used their knowledge to create professional working drawings, an essential skill for future engineers.”
From Frustration to Breakthroughs
Students have heard Mr. Hair say that engineering is rarely easy. Each design had to meet strict parameters and tolerances. This meant double-checking calculations, finding errors and sometimes starting over. “Though students ran into frustrations,” said Mr. Hair, “they practiced problem-solving and adaptability.”
Too tight tolerances? Back to the drawing board. Misaligned components? Time to rethink. These challenges helped students learn persistence and critical thinking.
Turning Blueprints into Reality
After the designs passed quality checks, students moved into the most exciting phase of creating physical prototypes. Using a laser cutter, their digital blueprints transformed into tangible creations.
“Holding the prototype of my design helped me realize that engineering isn’t just making a design and being done,” said Jacob Fox, senior at CHS. “I realized that even if I have a design that I think works, I won’t fully know unless I make a prototype.”
Skills That Power the Future
During this project, students learned problem-solving, precision and professionalism – while they were preparing industry-standard working drawings.
Career Technical Education classes are offered at both Central and South high schools. The vast array of opportunities at Salina Public Schools inspire success and prepare graduates who are ready to reach their goals. Whatever career paths students choose, life and technical skills learned at SPS are the basis for creating bright futures.