encouraging student inquiry

Laser cutter & design so ware encouraging student inquiry

Scott Symonds Design Hangarau Teacher at Ross Intermediate in Palmerston North talks about their new laser cutter and CNC and how they have worked with MakerspaceNZ.

We recently undertook a substantial overhaul of our Design and Technology curriculum, facilities, and equipment with an emphasis on pulling the subject into the 21st century. We sorely lacked any sort of digital design and CAD/CAM gear, and with this as a priority we choose MakerspaceNZ based on their prompt response and excellent consultation.

MakerspaceNZ supplied and installed our laser cutt er and CNC, and have provided substantial ongoing support in the form of training, maintenance and the supply of consumables. They have a great knowledge of the machines they sell and customers they work with and have become key partners in our redevelopment.

Prior to redevelopment, our Art, Design and Technology facilities were solidly locked in the 1970’s, with vintage equipment leading to ‘vintage’ projects. Whilst students still enjoyed these lessons and learned valuable skills, we wanted to provide students with the means to design and realise their own creations through an inquiry-based approach that more closely resembles a commercial product design process. Our laser cutt er has become central to much of what we do, allowing students to rapidly prototype technical designs using vector design soft ware, as well as producing more decorative products and fi nishes using tablet and stylus. We use the laser across Hard Materials, Soft Materials and Art. Our laser cutt er has been very successfully integrated into our curricula. What it off ers as a ‘tool’ is the ability for students to create complex products with a level of fi nish that would have been unavailable to them previously.

Staff love being able to quickly create resources to inspire students, as well as making doubles of excellent examples of student work.

Beyond its practical benefi ts, we have found that the machine along with the design soft ware that we have available, promotes a unique level of engagement that encourages student inquiry and experimentation.

Feedback from students and the parents who visit our facilities has been so overwhelmingly positive that we are now looking to invest in another machine dedicated to Soft Materials and Art.

INTRODUCING THE NEW GENESIS GEN2 RANGE OF LASER CUTTERS, FEATURING 2X FASTER ENGRAVING & CUTTING* AND MUCH MORE! GEN2

G630L G750L G960L G139L

600X300 (50W) $6980* 700X300 (80W) $9380* 900X600 (80W) $13480* 1300X900 (100W) $16290*

*MATERIAL DEPENDANT **ALL PRICES ARE EXCLUSIVE OF GST, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION AND TRAINING

0800 810 365 MAKERSPACE.CO.NZ