I taught a class of kids Onshape at a library

frank26080115

I volunteer at a library makerspace, and I am teaching a series of classes on building a robot, lesson #1 was on CAD to 3D print the robot's body, using Onshape. Most of it was actually done through many very short screen recordings, for practical reasons, since this is a library, more chaotic than a classroom setting. The object is really just about 7 rectangles and 6 holes, but I actually included concepts like constraints, mirroring, patterning, hopefully pulling people away from TinkerCAD before bad habits form



Read the full story here, it's a diary for that day, what went well and what went wrong, common mistakes, etc

http://eleccelerator.com/teaching-a-robotics-class-2018/

Also I have my class content here, maybe check it out and point out anything that you like or would like to see changed

http://eleccelerator.com/ssfpl_robotics_class_2018/ for all of the content

http://eleccelerator.com/ssfpl_robotics_class_2018/3dcad.htm for just the CAD class

I know Onshape has their own tutorials but they really feel like tutorials meant for people who are moving between CAD software. Also it's nice to give them a 3D printed piece of the thing they are designing before they start, to have that connection from their actions directly translate to something physical.

If I could get some Onshape stickers to hand out, that'd be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: something went wrong with this post where the pic never shows up on my Chrome but you might've seen the same file uploaded 6 times because it never showed up for me, I noticed it on mobile. Apologies.

owen_sparks

Awesome

derek_ward

This is so great! I'm developing a class for high schoolers using Onshape and 3D printing so I appreciate you sharing your experiences. 

john_mcclary

This is awesome!

It's cool seeing kids using the same tools (CAD, PCBs, 3D Printers, Soldering etc) as the professionals use to create these little robots.

Not just "here is a magic box that you stick inside a hand made piece of cardboard and add wheels".

Good stuff

frank26080115

derek_ward said:

This is so great! I'm developing a class for high schoolers using Onshape and 3D printing so I appreciate you sharing your experiences. 

I'm very interested in how you are planning your class and what the outcome is. Although if you are a real teacher, I bet you have more than just one day so you are more flexible and can teach more.

I've simply told these kids to come back at any time if they need my help, as I am there every Saturday regardless if a class is scheduled.

Thanks for the kind words everyone

larry_hawes

How do I sign up??

bruce_williams

wow!  Thanks for sharing.  Makes me wish I was in SF. 

derek_ward

frank26080115 said:

derek_ward said:

This is so great! I'm developing a class for high schoolers using Onshape and 3D printing so I appreciate you sharing your experiences. 

I'm very interested in how you are planning your class and what the outcome is. Although if you are a real teacher, I bet you have more than just one day so you are more flexible and can teach more.

I've simply told these kids to come back at any time if they need my help, as I am there every Saturday regardless if a class is scheduled.

Thanks for the kind words everyone

My class will be a one trimester course twice this upcoming school year. I'll definitely post about my experience after the first term in November.