What is the T in a STEM Classroom? - Chris Komer

What is the T in a STEM Classroom? - Chris Komer

TECHNOLOGY! It’s the T in STEM. It is a great time to teach technology, with all the great tools Sandburg offers its students for everyday use, and the innovative equipment we have in the building and our classrooms.

As an Applied Technology teacher, I try to use the latest programs, tools, and equipment to plan and organize my classes.  Canvas and Google Drive have been the trend around school the past few years and at first I was hesitant to use them and now I find myself using them all the time.  These tools have helped me to plan for my classes, post assignments, and communicate with my students.  My organization has also improved as a result and the convenience of being able to access files to make edits, additions, and link to assignments can be done anywhere and at anytime which has been a huge plus for me.  Using these tools have been a success with my students and they seem to expect it now in their classes as it provides convenience for them too.  Students can also post their assignments and questions for me. There is no delay, and no excuses on why they didn’t get an assignment in!

I am fortunate to teach in a school and district that can provide students with state-of-the art technology. Students in my Engineering and CAD classes have been able to use 3D printers.  The 3D printer is used frequently with my students in Prototyping and Engineering Design for the last five years. Our latest project is creating a projectile launcher.  All parts have to be designed on CAD and 3D printed for a competition.  Upcoming projects include a puzzle cube design project and a mini-car project, based off of the Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby competition.  In our version of the competition students will again use CAD to fully design their cars and 3D print all the parts except for a metal axle that they will be given.  Finished cars are then tested and raced in class on our wooden race track.  The 3D printer has really made teaching the Engineering Design process come full circle.  Students are able to print out actual 3D Prototypes of their many design projects.  I am also very excited to introduce my students to our newest piece of equipment, the Laser Cutter and Engraving machine.  This will be used in all levels of my CAD classes and also our Woods classes as well.  The machine allows you to cut, mark, and engrave on just about any type of material including wood, plastic, metals, acrylic, leather, stone, glass, and rubber.  It will be used for Architectural Models, Packaging Design projects, Woodworking projects, Signs and Graphics projects, and other various Manufacturing projects.  

The opportunity students have in my classroom provide them hands-on, real world experience that many only would get to see in college level courses.  Students have access to cutting edge technology, equipment, and CAD software on a daily basis.  It has been very rewarding to see students excited and have fun learning how to use it all.   My vision for the future of my classes is to also offer technical certifications for students that shows they have met entry level requirements for jobs using AutoCAD, Inventor, and Revit which are the CAD software programs they are using.

Check out my twitter page and also below for some examples of my students work.

Chris Komer

Applied Technology Teacher

Carl Sandburg High School

Twitter - @SandburgCAD