🏆 Best K-12 Engagement
The primary objective of the aluminum extrusion kit and playbook for STEM Education is to create the agreed-upon kit and associated playbooks to enhance STEM/STEAM education by exposing upper-level high school students to the process and applications of aluminum extrusions.
Sponsored by: Aluminum Extruders Council
Team Members
Sean Adams Dalal Alboloushi Mercedes Batista Abigail Bolich Nya Cherry Kaitlyn McClary Joseph Sikora
Instructor: Paul Mittan
Project Poster
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Project Video
Project Summary
Overview
The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) sponsored this project with the goal of the team creating educational kits and playbooks to introduce upper-level high school students to aluminum extrusions. The challenge was to develop three prototypes of the aluminum extrusion kits and instructional playbooks, ensuring they were easily transportable, user-friendly, and scalable. The project aimed to enhance STEM education by engaging students in hands-on activities related to aluminum extrusion.
Objectives
-Develop three prototypes and a final deliverable of aluminum extrusion kit, student and instructional playbooks, and lesson plan.
-Iterate on prototypes based on feedback from school visits.
-Ensure kits are easily stored, transportable, and interfaced with playbooks.
Approach
-Conducted school visits for feedback and iterative testing.
-Collaborated with AEC member companies (Bonnell, Pennex) for support.
-Researched and selected appropriate case sizes for kit portability.
-Designed playbooks with clear instructions and engaging content.
-Split playbooks into introductory and intermediate versions.
-Incorporated design challenges and feedback from school visits.
-Conducted integration testing by visiting high school classes to recommend one kit per twenty students.
Outcomes
-Successful delivery of three prototypes and final deliverable within the $1,250 budget.
-Positive feedback from school visits, enhancing STEM curriculum.
-MSRP of the kit estimated at $2,500.
-Recommendations to sponsor for finalizing kit components and bulk purchasing for cost reduction.
-This project not only met its educational objectives but also holds the potential to significantly benefit the Aluminum Extruders Council by promoting their mission and fostering connections with high school students and educators.