At a Glance
Students in the precision machining program at Keystone Central School District Career and Technical Center
build an operational air motor using a specific set of written instructions and blueprints with little or no verbal directions from the instructor.
Overview
Precision machining students at Keystone Central School District Career and Technical Center utilize 21st century skills to complete the desired expectations of a group activity. The air motor project is administered during the fourth nine-week marking period of the school year for level 2 and 3 machine shop students (seniors) at. Students are divided into small groups of three or four people, depending on class size. Each team is responsible for building an operational air motor using a specific set of written instructions and blueprints with little or no verbal directions from the instructor.
Each student team must communicate and work collectively, applying 21st century skills as well as meeting the tolerances identified on the set of blue prints, in order for the project to be successful. Students learn mass production techniques, communication skills, and teamwork while applying prior knowledge and machining skills to complete the project.
The instructor evaluates the process and the finished product.
Origin / Implementation
Originally, this activity was conducted as an individual student project. In 2012, the instructor modified it to become a group project, drawing on sustained collaborative instruction and project-based instruction models.
The goals of the project are to assess student understanding of theory and practical skills taught over the first three marking periods and to provide an opportunity to incorporate different levels of students participating in a team activity resulting in a sense of accomplishment.
Results / Impact
Since this project was initiated, the instructor has noticed an improvement in students’ 21st century skills. He also reports that student leaders have emerged based on their participation in the project and that one student was offered an internship based on his role in the project. Students who complete the program consistently rate competent or advanced on the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) exam.
Contact
Keystone Central School District Career and Technical Center
Shan Packer, Precision Machining Instructor
Email: spacker@kcsd.us