Laser Cutter Takes Class to New Levels

Everyone wins when the creativity of both teachers and students is leveraged in real time. In the case of Ms. Giovanardi’s Engineering and CAD for Architecture class, projects, curriculum, and enthusiasm were the fruits of their new toy.

Ms. Giovanardi was awarded a grant to purchase a K40 Laser Cutter for her CAD for Engineering and CAD for Architecture class last year. With a new tool for her class, Ms. G had to figure out how to put the Laser Cutter to good use. The class already had milling machines, but the laser cutter allowed students to design in CAD more intricate projects.

 Ms. G’s creative ways of incorporating the Laser Cutter sparked a boom in the creativity of her class.

“ As the year progressed, the laser became one of our favorite tools in my classroom. We made all kinds of projects, including for both my engineering classes and my architecture classes. I also made STEM medals for graduating seniors”

With creative problem solving and assistance, Ms. G was able to prevent a small problem from derailing everyone’s fun.  With 2 weeks left in the 2022 - 2023 school year, a major component broke due to overheating.  With MEF help, Ms. G was able to replace the component, and add additional cooling.  The part was not a perfect fit, so she fashioned a color-match end cap to provide extended housing. 

Ms. G’s class may have only scratched the surface of how the Laser Cutter can enhance an already hungry group of future engineers. Student inspired projects made possible by the laser cutter have helped add creative wrinkles to this year’s curriculum. Students will be challenged to figure out differences between 3D printer objects and Laser Cutter objects and figure out the best way to approach their designs.

Chances are we can expect even more creative projects produced by the Laser Cutter. If last year was any indication, Ms. G is just getting started.