The University’s “Introduction to Engineering” class learned how to use 3D software and printing techniques to create learning tools they used to teach math to Highland Elementary students.
The class, taught by biological and agricultural engineering instructor Nicholas Totaro and biological and agricultural engineering professor Todd Monroe, was designated as a service-learning class by the Center for Community Engagement, Learning and Leadership — a unit of Academic Affairs — for the first time last fall.
Totaro first contacted Highland Elementary and learned the math target areas for kindergarten through third grade. The target areas were then shared with his students.
Totaro’s students visited Highland Elementary in October to meet with the elementary students, evaluate the resources available to the students and to get input from the students for the projects. Totaro said involving the elementary students in the design process was a crucial part of determining what motivated them.
“You’re not just asking who your target audience is when you’re doing a service-learning project,” Totaro said. “You’re getting the community to give input for what you’re making.”
The three sections each focused on a different elementary grade level, and University students were organized into teams of four for the project: use 3D software and 3D printing to create a game or learning tool for the students at Highland Elementary.
During the first visit, Totaro’s students learned that the Highland Elementary students were interested in learning but needed more tactile ways of learning.
“Hearing the children’s ideas and what they like allowed me to see how eager they are to learn,” said biological engineering freshman Katelynn Ross. “Being able to have an impact on them in their learning process is a great privilege.”
Totaro’s students had one month to design a learning tool using 3D modeling software. Their designs were then 3D printed in the Chevron Center for Engineering Education. Many of the “Introduction to Engineering” students considered the design process their favorite part of the class.
“The coolest thing was waiting for so long to get the design printed and then finally having it in your hand,” said biological engineering freshman Amber Munch.
Totaro was inspired to restructure the course by biological and agricultural engineering professor Marybeth Lima, who teaches biology in engineering and incorporated service-learning into the curriculum by applying the concepts of engineering safety standards to playground design.
In “Biology in Engineering,” students also volunteer with Volunteers in Public Schools and tutor elementary students in reading or math for at least 30 minutes per week. The “Introduction to Engineering” also partnered with VIPS, but Totaro’s students participated in a service project rather than volunteering on a weekly basis.
Totaro’s students returned to Highland Elementary to use the 3D tools they created to teach the elementary students in November. The University students enjoyed seeing the effects their learning tools had on the elementary students.
“After we played our games with the same group of students we had met the first time, we could see an improvement,” said biological engineering freshman Angelica Nguyen.
Most of the learning tools created by the “Introduction to Engineering” students were donated to VIPS. Totaro plans on partnering with more local elementary schools for future sections of “Introduction to Engineering.”
