Robotics Students Use 3D Printing to Make Projects for Staffulty
During the second semester, students in robotics classes at Central Catholic have been learning about additive manufacturing, which is more commonly known as 3D printing. They have explored different applications and the inner workings of this rapidly growing technology. In addition, students learned to 3D model their ideas in CAD (Computer Aided Design), specifically learning to use Fusion 360 and grow their modeling skill set.
The robotics teacher, Brent Matus ‘20, reached out to other CCHS teachers and staff members to see if they had anything that needed to be created or fixed in their classrooms that the students could make using this technology. “The students then selected one of these projects and began brainstorming and modeling,” Mr. Matus explained. “After the initial design stage, they 3D printed a prototype and tested to see if it worked. Some were able to create a working prototype on the first try, while others may have needed to make two or three attempts. This was part of the project and helped the students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. I also emphasized communication skills with the students, so they properly communicated their progress with the teachers.”
Junior Brendan Zapadka was part of a team that designed a storage organizer for CCHS intervention specialist, Bree Savidge. He worked with seniors Troy Lucas and Andrew Todorowski. “We ended up having to make two of the organizers because on the first one, the measurements were off and it was two inches too high,” Brendan said. “But we figured it out by the second one. It was great to be able to help a teacher with a need.”
Sophomores Nathan Mulkey and Carson Pettaway created a petri dish holder for science teacher Lyanna Buser. “The first prototype we made wasn’t tall enough to hold everything, but we made some adjustments and the second one was the right size,” Nathan said. “It feels good to create something that benefits someone else and to have fun doing it.” Carson added, “I want to go into engineering in college, and this project was a good way to learn something new and helpful.”
Junior Tyler Hahn and senior Gavin Eckhart created a wall covering for college and career advisor, Daniel Spaulding. A sink had been removed from his office, and the space needed to be covered with something, so the students designed a plaque with his name and the Central Catholic logo. The project was challenging because it had to be made in three segments due to its size, and it took 11 hours to print. “Mr. Spaulding gave us freedom to create whatever we wanted for him, and he loves the result,” Tyler said. “This project gave us an opportunity to create something personal and meaningful. It was fun, and it made me think about getting into 3D printing as a hobby in the future. We learned a lot.”
Other students created business card holders, name tags, additional storage organizers, and even a fidget spinner with the CCHS logo. Those students included seniors Da'Veyon Lawrence, Alina Ruiz, Halan Scott, and Micheal Wood, Jr.; juniors Nathan Fry, Malik Paris, Clark Richardson, and Jordan Watson; and sophomore Rylan Strong.
“I love the business card holder the students made for me,” said Andrea Biederman, assistant principal and dean of academics. “It’s much better looking and more fun than just a plain one.”
“The students were going to make me a fidget spinner in the shape of a shamrock,” said Amy Rough, student activities coordinator. “But the shape really didn’t work well because it wasn’t balanced, so they came up with the idea of using the CCHS logo. I think it turned out great!”
