Explore Engineering Workshops
WORKSHOP SESSION A
Introduction into the Architectural Lighting and Electrical Design Field
Facilitators: Melina Moser, Vannessa Pederson, & Anna-Lisa Connors
Location: STEM Room 648
Students will be shown examples of the documents that a lighting designer/electrical engineer produces on a regular basis, the various construction documents phases, and the end-product that results from these drawings. The focus of the workshop will be on the “Schematic Design” phase of a project where students will be shown examples of the Conceptual Lighting Packages that are produced to communicate an idea for lighting design schemes. After learning the process of a lighting design, students will be given an opportunity to produce a concept of their own for a “special client!”
Facilitators: Melina Moser, Vannessa Pederson, & Anna-Lisa Connors
Location: STEM Room 648
Students will be shown examples of the documents that a lighting designer/electrical engineer produces on a regular basis, the various construction documents phases, and the end-product that results from these drawings. The focus of the workshop will be on the “Schematic Design” phase of a project where students will be shown examples of the Conceptual Lighting Packages that are produced to communicate an idea for lighting design schemes. After learning the process of a lighting design, students will be given an opportunity to produce a concept of their own for a “special client!”
Energy Modeling: How to Help People Build More Energy Efficient Buildings
Facilitator: Elizabeth Gillmor
Location: STEM Room 641
In this workshop, students will build a energy model of a building using eQuest software, and discover ways to make their buildings better by improving the building envelope, lighting, and HVAC systems.
Facilitator: Elizabeth Gillmor
Location: STEM Room 641
In this workshop, students will build a energy model of a building using eQuest software, and discover ways to make their buildings better by improving the building envelope, lighting, and HVAC systems.
Chemical Engineering: Protect The Pill
Facilitators: Janet Yowell and Mindy Zarske
Location: STEM Room 644
Explore chemical engineering by developing a coating for a pill, then test how long it takes to dissolve in the harsh environment of stomach acid.
Facilitators: Janet Yowell and Mindy Zarske
Location: STEM Room 644
Explore chemical engineering by developing a coating for a pill, then test how long it takes to dissolve in the harsh environment of stomach acid.
Structural Engineering: Gumdrop Bridges
Facilitators: United Launch Alliance
Location: STEM Room 642
This workshop will include a presentation on ULA, rocket science, spacecraft, and engineering in general. Then students will work in groups to build a bridge out of toothpicks and gumdrops. The bridges will be tested to determine which can carry the most weight.
Facilitators: United Launch Alliance
Location: STEM Room 642
This workshop will include a presentation on ULA, rocket science, spacecraft, and engineering in general. Then students will work in groups to build a bridge out of toothpicks and gumdrops. The bridges will be tested to determine which can carry the most weight.
WORKSHOP SESSION B
Basic Building Design
Facilitator: Nicole Laiho
Location: STEM Room 648
An interactive workshop that looks at the basic ideas behind building design. The students will use the concepts discussed to build their own paper buildings.
Facilitator: Nicole Laiho
Location: STEM Room 648
An interactive workshop that looks at the basic ideas behind building design. The students will use the concepts discussed to build their own paper buildings.
System Engineering LEGO Build Challenge
Facilitator: Brie Laffey
Location: STEM Room 645
Students will get to work in teams to accomplish building a conveyor belt system completely out of LEGO. Students will learn about the process engineers use to accomplish a task while hands on getting to try it for themselves with LEGO. Critical thinking and creativeness is the name of the game in this workshop.
Facilitator: Brie Laffey
Location: STEM Room 645
Students will get to work in teams to accomplish building a conveyor belt system completely out of LEGO. Students will learn about the process engineers use to accomplish a task while hands on getting to try it for themselves with LEGO. Critical thinking and creativeness is the name of the game in this workshop.
Introductory Soldering
Facilitator: Marie McClain
Location: STEM Room 642
We will first study basic circuit design and theory, then proceed to calculations for real circuit components. The majority of the time will be spent practicing soldering technique, and each student will build their own working LED circuit from scratch.
Facilitator: Marie McClain
Location: STEM Room 642
We will first study basic circuit design and theory, then proceed to calculations for real circuit components. The majority of the time will be spent practicing soldering technique, and each student will build their own working LED circuit from scratch.
Engineers Without Borders
Facilitators: Melissa Montgomery & Katrina Myers
Location: STEM Room 649
This workshop will focus on the type of work that EWB-USA does as an organization to implement sustainable engineering projects in small communities in developing countries. The workshop will present a case study for the participants to assess and develop design alternatives to solve a community identified problem.
Facilitators: Melissa Montgomery & Katrina Myers
Location: STEM Room 649
This workshop will focus on the type of work that EWB-USA does as an organization to implement sustainable engineering projects in small communities in developing countries. The workshop will present a case study for the participants to assess and develop design alternatives to solve a community identified problem.
Launching Learning
Facilitators: United Launch Alliance
Location: STEM Room 641
This workshop will give an overview of ULA, rocket science, and tips and tricks on how to build a stable rocket. Then students will work in groups to design and build a 2L bottle rocket. At the end of the session the rocket’s will be launched from an air compressor.
Facilitators: United Launch Alliance
Location: STEM Room 641
This workshop will give an overview of ULA, rocket science, and tips and tricks on how to build a stable rocket. Then students will work in groups to design and build a 2L bottle rocket. At the end of the session the rocket’s will be launched from an air compressor.
Redesigning Northglenn
Facilitator: Wendy Merchant
Location: STEM Main Hallway & Small Gym
This workshop includes a walking tour of the STEM school to take a look at the mechanical and electrical building systems in the building. We will compare the construction drawings with the equipment visible inside the rooms and the infrastructure hidden behind the walls and ceiling and below the floor. There will be a discussion of the mechanical and electrical engineering that goes into designing these building systems. Students will have the opportunity, and be encouraged, to ask questions.
Facilitator: Wendy Merchant
Location: STEM Main Hallway & Small Gym
This workshop includes a walking tour of the STEM school to take a look at the mechanical and electrical building systems in the building. We will compare the construction drawings with the equipment visible inside the rooms and the infrastructure hidden behind the walls and ceiling and below the floor. There will be a discussion of the mechanical and electrical engineering that goes into designing these building systems. Students will have the opportunity, and be encouraged, to ask questions.
WORKSHOP SESSION C
Exploring Public Interest Design
Facilitator: Lisa Abendroth
Location: STEM Room 644
Students will be introduced to the field of public interest design through filters of social equity, economic and environmental justice. By looking at examples of architecture, industrial and graphic design we will discuss the role design can play in serving the needs of marginalized and under-served communities. Relying on a "problem-seeking" framework, we will use small groups to explore themes of social justice that start with the personal and transcend to the universal. The groups will find ways to "locate" these within our learning and living environments. Through dialogue and debate, we will collectively explore the challenges and rewards inherent in design that serves unique needs bound by community and place. Possibilities for iterative visual development in this workshop is included as part of our collective group brainstorming and theme development. Moving through a design thinking process we will experiment with methods for responding to the design problem in ways that allow students to think broadly and laterally.
Facilitator: Lisa Abendroth
Location: STEM Room 644
Students will be introduced to the field of public interest design through filters of social equity, economic and environmental justice. By looking at examples of architecture, industrial and graphic design we will discuss the role design can play in serving the needs of marginalized and under-served communities. Relying on a "problem-seeking" framework, we will use small groups to explore themes of social justice that start with the personal and transcend to the universal. The groups will find ways to "locate" these within our learning and living environments. Through dialogue and debate, we will collectively explore the challenges and rewards inherent in design that serves unique needs bound by community and place. Possibilities for iterative visual development in this workshop is included as part of our collective group brainstorming and theme development. Moving through a design thinking process we will experiment with methods for responding to the design problem in ways that allow students to think broadly and laterally.
Fluid Power Challenge_
Facilitator: Carol Carlson
Location: STEM Room 648
This is a short lesson on how engineers at Gates design and analyze products used to transmit power and fluids. Most of the time students will work in teams to design, draw and build a fluid power device. The devices will be tested and we will have fun!
Facilitator: Carol Carlson
Location: STEM Room 648
This is a short lesson on how engineers at Gates design and analyze products used to transmit power and fluids. Most of the time students will work in teams to design, draw and build a fluid power device. The devices will be tested and we will have fun!
Chemical Engineering: Silly Putty
Facilitators: CU Society of Women Engineers
Location: STEM Room 649
Following the steps of the engineering design process and acting as chemical engineers, student teams design different forms of silly putty and participate in a design challenge to see which team can make their's the bounciest or stretchiest.
Facilitators: CU Society of Women Engineers
Location: STEM Room 649
Following the steps of the engineering design process and acting as chemical engineers, student teams design different forms of silly putty and participate in a design challenge to see which team can make their's the bounciest or stretchiest.
Fancy Feet
Facilitator: Lauren Cooper
Location: STEM Room 645
Design your own high-heel footwear using the engineering design process.
Facilitator: Lauren Cooper
Location: STEM Room 645
Design your own high-heel footwear using the engineering design process.
Introductory Soldering
Facilitator: Marie McClain
Location: STEM Room 642
We will first study basic circuit design and theory, then proceed to calculations for real circuit components. The majority of the time will be spent practicing soldering technique, and each student will build their own working LED circuit from scratch.
Facilitator: Marie McClain
Location: STEM Room 642
We will first study basic circuit design and theory, then proceed to calculations for real circuit components. The majority of the time will be spent practicing soldering technique, and each student will build their own working LED circuit from scratch.