| Apr 13, 2025
Over the summer, F.B.N.F. hosted a three-day CAD workshop to teach younger students the basics of 3D design using Onshape. Through hands-on projects and creative problem-solving, both the students and our team grew their skills—and discovered the power of teaching as a way to inspire the next generation of engineers.
We first introduced CAD and its various applications to the students since many of them were unfamiliar with this tool, as well as how our team utilized it this past season. Over the course of the sessions, students learned how to move from simple sketches to full 3D designs. We began with the basics, like sketching and extruding, and then moved on to more difficult features such as revolve, fillets, chamfers, and patterning. By the final day, the students were ready for a more complex challenge: designing and assembling a car wheel. Along the way, they created everything from LEGO pieces and nameplates to their own original designs, many of which they were eager to share with peers.
Running the workshop wasn’t without challenges. On the first day, it was difficult for students to understand the idea of creating a 3D figure from a 2D surface. We had to adapt our teaching strategies, like comparing the revolve feature to making a donut. Once they reached the point of creating full 3D objects, their enthusiasm increased. They became more engaged, asked questions, and explored the various tools in creative ways.
Looking back, the workshop provided valuable exposure to skills that are rarely taught at a young age. By introducing it early, we not only gave them a head start in utilizing this tool, but we also sparked interest in problem-solving and design. For the team, it was a chance to practice teaching students with various levels of experience and interest.
We also saw areas to improve after students had some difficulty on the first day. Using items like Play-Doh or bringing in simple objects could have helped students better visualize 3D concepts instead of relying on their imagination across three planes.
But most importantly, we learned that teaching CAD in the community fills a real gap in opportunity. While most of the members on our team are self-taught or learned through a course in high school, these students are able to learn about CAD starting from elementary school. Hosting more workshops like this in the future could make computer-aided design feel less intimidating and more accessible while also inspiring curiosity and creativity in students from an early age.