Stefan Scott, a teacher at Centennial Collegiate, is helping students learn about mechatronics using hands-on learning and creativity.
Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation (SPSF) supported students at Centennial Collegiate by providing $5000 to fund a Power Up Project led by Stefan Scott.
A 3D printer kit and a mechatronics inventors kit were both ordered and used throughout the project. A lot of the materials that were printed or ordered, are reusable, so in the next school year students will be able to continue the same
A core group of 6 students dedicated 12-15 hours to assembling the 3D printer themselves. This allowed them to understand the construction and gain insights into the technology, and they did a fantastic job!
Not only did setting up the equipment help the students learn about mechatronics, but were empowered too. The process allowed the students’ self-confidence to strengthen as they experienced success.
The students were able to experience the full design process, from the idea and concept to the working machine. They also developed skills related to mechatronics including 3D design, electronics, desktop manufacturing and assembly, telemetry and communication, and coding. The students involved with the Centennial mechatronics project also learned about working with different mechanical motion systems. Examples of this would be systems using gears, belts, and springs.
While working with each other to assemble the 3D printer and various robots, the students also developed interpersonal skills that are needed when working with others to complete a complex task.