The grade 1/2 students in Megan Baker's class at École Ste-Margeurite Bourgeoys are learning as much as they possibly can about car design, as quickly as they can. For good reason. This group of innovators have been feeling very confident in their 3D design skills and they have set the stakes higher for themselves. They recently came to the Catholic Education Center and challenged their Idea Lab Steward, Jamey Robertson, Innovation and Creativity Coordinator, to a 3D design challenge to design and print a moving car. Every student in the class is going to design their own 3D vehicle and Jamey Robertson has been challenged to design and print a vehicle to enter into the competition as well.
"It was the student's idea to challenge Mr. Robertson to a design face-off," says Megan Baker. "There has been a lot of playful banter back and forth between the students and Mr. Robertson. He's made the experience so much fun for the students. They can't wait to see what he's going to say or do next. They are actually waiting for his interview about the challenge to come out because they can't wait to see what he's going to say about the challenge."
To be fair, the grade 1/2 students provided Mr. Robertson with a tutorial so he knows all the basics about how to use the 123 Design software. "The students gave me a basic overview and provided me with everything I need to know about how to use the software," says Mr. Robertson. "But they didn't share any design secrets with me and they didn't tell me what they were up to."
The class recently visited Derouard Motors and took pictures of car components on their iPads and then they visited Kal Tire where they received demonstrations about how various components of vehicles work. They also had a guest speaker in their class from Hyundai to talk about car design.
"I think it's fantastic that these students are willing to put their skills to the test against the Design King," says Mr. Robertson. "They have really stepped up to the plate on this new challenge and they are showing a great deal of confidence. I've got things in store for them too though and they will just have to wait and see. This competition is just getting started."
Both parties are now negotiating the final terms and conditions of the challenge and who the judges will be in the final competition. The competition is set to be completed at the end of March or early April.
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Students take images of car components under the hood of a vehicle with their IPads at Derouard Motors. They are learning as much as they can about the various vehicle components so they can incorporate them into their own 3D designs back at school.
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Julia and Cali are studying the frame of the car and learning as much as they can about how the frame is the strongest part of the vehicle. They noticed the shape was a rectangle and was positioned close to the wheels.
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Julia is making a few field notes for herself. She said that she has big plans to make a really cool car. She wants to beat Mr. Robertson in the 3D Design challenge. Her message to Mr. Robertson was, "make sure your design is a working car because mine will be."
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Maddyn is busy taking pictures inside the car. She's studying the windshield design and the steering wheel.
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Todd Baker from Kal Tire provides the students with a close look at the wheels of a truck. "Mr. Baker took off the nuts and bolts of the tire and we got to see the bearings," says Maddyn. "Mr. Baker told us that without air in the tires the truck would have a very bumpy ride and the tires would go flat."
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"Mr. Baker told us that there were 3 key components to vehicles: spark, combustion and fuel", says Julia
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Mr. Robertson (aka The Design King) was interviewed for his response to the challenge. "Right now I'm also working with experienced people in the field of vehicle design. My design is going to be very creative and innovative. I'm going to come up with something that is not conventional. It's going to be truly mind blowing."
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"The students should also know that I designed this rhinoceros in less than 20 minutes. Imagine what I can do in 40 minutes. They will have to wait and see."
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