iLEAD Academy
Introduction to Engineering Projects
iLead Academy's engineering class held an event modeled after the famous Punkin' Chunkin' contest. We were split up into teams and each team received two pallets to build a catapult. My team eventually when on to win the competition thanks to my engineering focus. This as one of my first big projects as an engineering student and it really forced me to see how engineers go about projects. normally I just jump in to something and start going but as an engineer planing and design is the most important aspect of any project. I was able to practice the engineering design process which I will use through out my engineering career and also at my job in the construction industry. I also learned some auto CAD and structural design techniques.
This was the biggest and most important project from Introduction to Engineering, Its where I mastered my skills in auto-desk inventor. I built the 1965 mustang replica and while crude it allowed me to play in auto-desk and learn how to create and 3-D print objects. These skills grown into more than I would have imagined at the time. I have used CAD to compete at the regional and state level in TSA as well as robotics. I have also used my CAD modeling skills to build connections in the manufacturing industry by helping Wilcox Machine Company switch from coding based software to 3-D modeling software.
Boat Race
This engineering project was a lot like the catapult project, we were given the task of creating a cardboard boat that could hold up a person and be aerodynamic enough to win a race. Again we were put into groups and given a material constraint (cardboard and a roll of duct tape). My main take away from this project was how important and useful proto types can be. I have gone on to use proto types in other engineering courses as well as in my VEX Robotics competitions.
Virtual Design
Our last and biggest project for IED was the virtual Design project. In this project we were split up into teams of 4 and given the task of designing a ropes course for the local state park. What made the project challenging was the fact that we had to work with a team for Minnesota and a large portion of our grade came from collaborating and communicating with our team from Minnesota. After designing the ropes course we had to build a prototype on Auto-desk Inventor. The engineering was important but the biggest lesson was how to work as a team with engineering students outside of our school. These skills transfer to any group project in any college major or job profession so no matter my major or job title I will surely use them again. Engineers often have to collaborate with others from around the country, the skills I learned from this project will prove to be important.
