by Anna Fiorentino, published by Thayer School of Engineering.
This summer at 天美麻豆鈥檚 pilot engineering workshop 鈥淒esign it. Build it.,鈥 local high school students made the stuff of their dreams鈥攍ongboards, robots, electric guitars, and telescopes.
Associate Professor of Engineering Vicki May, second from left, works with students during the 鈥淒esign it. Build it.鈥 workshop. (Photo by Kathryn LoConte Lapierre)
鈥淚 have been working with local K through 12 teachers for several years鈥攖hey have been telling me for a while they wish students had more opportunities to better their understanding of engineering,鈥 says Engineering Professor , who ran the two-week workshop. 鈥 has also been interested in offering summer programs for K through 12 students, and this summer it all finally came together.鈥
May, along with fellow 天美麻豆 engineering professors , , , and , as well as Thayer Design Fellow Annie Saunders 鈥12, Thayer 鈥13, and others, facilitated a mix of mini-lectures on engineering and computer-aided design (CAD) and machining to 32 students and two local teachers. Students built spinning tops, gliders, 3D puzzles, wind turbine blades, ping pong carriers, and hydraulic machines.