We love hearing from educators who are incorporating e-NABLE in the classroom! While it is always wonderful to hear about the students creating the devices, how this project impacts them, and the recipients who receive the hands that are being made, we don’t often get to report on how teachers are incorporating the e-NABLE project badging system in their curriculum.
Recently, we asked John Gundy, a teacher of physics and engineering at St. Joseph’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic High School in St. Louis, MO to share how he has incorporated e-Nabling the Future into one of his engineering classes. That class focuses on CAD and CAM, computer-aided manufacturing. We asked him to share his experience with the use of Badges with his class.
John shared, “I want to get my students involved, beyond registering as a volunteer. I believe the badge system is an excellent way for them to learn about the program and develop relevant skills, so I ask my students to earn at least two badges, the Device Sizing Volunteer badge and one of the Fabrication and Assembly badges.“
He strives to impress upon the students that their submissions will be evaluated in a real-world setting and that their products will be held to a high-quality standard. He shared, “This has more impact than simply having me grade an assignment.”
His students learn to use 3D design software, Fusion 360, through Kevin Kennedy’s PDO Academy. An early lesson for his students involves importing and calibrating an image. It is great to follow up learning this skill by using Fusion 360 to size a device.
“They watch the video: “Taking Recipient Photos For e-NABLE” to more fully understand where the pictures come from. The video is very straightforward, and my students learn to size devices with little difficulty,” shared John. “Students read through the narrative that accompanies pictures and use the e-NABLE Device Evaluations matrix to make recommendations. They develop an understanding that the clients are real people with specific needs.”
John shared, “We have a Prusa i3 MK3S+ printer. The students download the STL files from Thingiverse, arrange the parts on the build platform, and print the pieces. Some students opt to print in two colors to give their devices a little more appeal. Students watch John Diamond’s Thermoforming a gauntlet for an e-NABLE hand and we discuss the advantage of printing flat and thermoforming vice printing in the final shape. Finally, they use a video like Unlimbited Phoenix Hand Assembly Tutorial to learn how to assemble the device. They are so proud of themselves when they learn their device is approved and they earn the badge.”
It is so incredible to see how teachers like John are creating their own curriculums for their students with the e-NABLE project!
Get involved and Share Your Story!
If you are an educator who has been incorporating e-NABLE in the classroom, we would love to hear from you! Feel free to email us at support@e-nable.org and share your story!
If you are looking at getting a 3D Printer or incorporating e-NABLE into your classroom – please visit our shop page for information on suggested 3D printers, materials and hand-assembly kits!