Making modifications to new engineering course...

 As I prepare for the summer course, a few changes will be made. 

1. Add an activity involving soldering. 
2. Modifying a couple of the Arduino projects so that they are not as complicated.
3. Including a new project involving simple laser cutting and engraving principles and content.
4. Redrafting and pushing a new laboratory safety agreement. Need to make greater efforts to emphasize and make students accountable for their immediate spaces.
   
5. Introducing 2-3 additional, OPTIONAL projects for students who would like to be challenged and/or provide choices depending on the student's interests. I will continue to have the required projects, but also allow students to choose from 3-4 to fulfill the requisite number of projects for the course. Hopefully, the optional projects will help students better determine their trajectory towards deciding on the final project.  
6. Will need to reduce hot glue use. The excess and inappropriate use of hot glue diminishes quality of designs and frequently results in students making less than optimal decisions in the method used to adhere components. Will have students use only screws/nuts or secure joints. 
7. NEED TO EMPHASIZE THAT FINAL PROJECT MAY BE A PARTNERSHIP. MORE AND BETTER PROJECTS RESULT.
   

Student projects continue to improve as seen below. As I continue to collect past student projects as exemplars to showcase, the projects will only inspire more of our students to think boldly.
 

The following are example engravings using the laser cutter/engraver. Raster images, vectors, the path/stroke widths, colour will all be discussed as important design considerations in laser cutter use.