Pioneer High School Engineering Student influences technology upgrades
Pioneer students continue to influence the technology available to them at their school. Their newest tech tool arrived last week in the form a laser engraver for the engineering classroom.
Pioneer student Kaysie Beauford had the idea during the Project Lead the Way Introduction to Engineering class in the spring. Students in the class build several personal projects from puzzle cubes to Automata devises, and he thought it would be “cool” if students could personalize their projects to allow for more creativity in design.
He brought the idea to Pioneer science and engineering teacher, Kristin Steinkraus, who applied for one of the school districts’ mini-grants to purchase the equipment.
She thought it would be a great way for students to think about not only functionality, but aesthetics when coming up with their designs. Pioneer received the grant in February, but due to the full-remote school of the spring, the engraver purchase was delayed until school resumed in person this fall.
The tool is up and running now, and the staff and students have enjoyed exploring the possibilities of the technology. So far they have engraved the school mascot logo on various items.
The technology was also tested on the anatomy and physiology class school skeleton which provided a way for the school to tag and inventory items. Students in science classes were challenged with generating further ideas for school-wide projects.
The Pioneer High School engineering students are also excited about the prospect of personalizing the puzzle cubes they will be designing and building over the next couple of weeks. The students and staff at Pioneer have big plans for their newest tool to help make learning meaningful, memorable and fun.