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Goal

The goal of this campus-wide initiative is to empower engineering and environmental science students to apply CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and digital fabrication skills to a real-world community conservation project. Students will design and produce physical markers for a local eco-trail that identify native flora and fauna, providing vital educational information to the public. This project bridges theoretical STEM concepts with practical problem-solving in partnership with a regional basin conservation alliance. It not only improves student learning gains in engineering design and applied geometry but also directly enriches the local basin community by fostering public awareness and environmental stewardship. 

 

Category

CTE Focused -  

 

What will be done with my students

Co-led by two engineering and environmental science educators, this initiative will scale across three distinct schools on our campus. Students will collaborate to design custom eco-trail signage using CAD software, working to fulfill the educational needs of a local watershed preservation initiative. Utilizing the requested 3D printers alongside our existing 40W laser cutters, students will fabricate the markers out of durable filament and plywood. This cross-curricular project will span the fall and winter, allowing hundreds of students to cycle through the engineering design process—from initial digital prototyping to final physical production. Ultimately, these student-manufactured signs will be installed along a public eco-trail to guide visitors, highlight local biodiversity, and provide accessible environmental education to the broader basin community. 

 

Benefits to my Students

There is a critical need for students to engage in authentic, hands-on STEM experiences that transcend traditional classroom walls. By producing tangible community assets for a local basin conservation effort, students will master highly sought-after technical skills (CAD modeling, 3D printing, laser engraving) while developing essential soft skills like teamwork and project management. Furthermore, the broader community benefits immensely; the public eco-trail will become an interactive educational space that connects residents and visitors with their local watershed ecosystem.

Outputs: The direct production and public deployment of custom eco-trail markers that identify native flora and fauna for community education, alongside the acquisition of two permanent 3D printers for our engineering labs.

Outcomes: Increased student proficiency in state engineering and technology standards, coupled with heightened public engagement with local environmental resources.
Success will be evaluated through performance-based assessments, rubric-graded CAD design reviews, and the successful completion of the community installation benchmark. This initiative will directly impact hundreds of students and countless community members this year, while the equipment will be reused to benefit thousands of future students. 

 

Budget Narrative

This project requires a total funding amount of $2,000 to launch our campus-wide engineering fabrication initiative. The budget is allocated into two primary categories: $1,000 will be used to purchase two 3D printers, which will serve as the core manufacturing equipment for the students' digital CAD designs. The remaining $1,000 will be utilized for bulk fabrication materials, specifically durable 3D printing filament and high-quality plywood for our laser cutters. This ensures we have the necessary consumables to produce weather-resistant flora and fauna markers that will educate the public along the local eco-trail. All non-consumable equipment will remain a permanent asset to the department to benefit future student cohorts and future community projects. 

 

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