Vision

The Tech faculty were asked, as well as Custodian staff, for all broken items that they have that would result in replacements being purchased. The students then reverse-engineered the broken items/components from the transportation courses as well as from the Custodial staff to reduce the disposal of the larger Items/Assemblies.

We wanted to reduce the waste bound for the landfill or the purchase of new components while we learned 3D printing and achieved curriculum requirements.

Action

Main objects that have been reverse-engineered/designed/and printed are:
a) Custodian Staff provided the Industrial Vacuum wheels needed, which resulted in another vacuum purchase no longer being needed.
b) Custodial powered sweeper system guide wheel replacement needed to remove the need to buy replacement parts, extending the life of a $6,000 – $20,000 piece of capital equipment.
c) Remote control car replacement parts for the Transportation class, extending the life of a $100 to $300 piece of equipment.

Reflection & Celebration

Not only have various students learned to apply measuring techniques and drafting/designing techniques, but they also learned about iterative design and pushed the limits of their ability and understanding.

The Innisdale Technology Design students recognized and discussed that replacing components to lengthen the life span of larger items not only reduces costs but does reduce the impact on the environment through the fewer overall materials being used and in energy used to source/buy/ship and learn to use the equipment.

The students doing the designing were very much drawn into the work, knowing that it would result in a positive for others within the school. It is a way to give back to the people around them and be part of the circle.

Incorporating these heightened activities within the curriculum also allowed those students to submit the projects under an “Above and Beyond” D2L option for improving marks while their learning is extended.

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