Newport News middle school students, staff and parents visited ODU-VMASC on February 23rd to engage in real world applications of STEM modules through technology associated with the digitized transformation in manufacturing of aircraft carriers!
The Digital Shipbuilding STEMpowerment workshop fostered problem based learning/inquiry paradigms through navigation of hands-on manufacturing experiences and engineering design processes. The workshop empowered innovative, industry practices within the digital age utilizing real time data on the digital thread based on 3D design, modeling, printing, manufacturing, and virtual reality.
Guests were engrossed within the realm of Digital Shipbuilding through participation in a hands-on tour, orientation of virtual/ simulation/digital labs and engaged in an engineering design challenge: “Up Against the Wall”.
Teams of 3-4 members created a prototype of a ship’s bulkhead employing multiple technologies and materials in the engineering design challenge after learning background information. Members utilized collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking skills to engage in hands-on digital instructions/design of a ship bulkhead amongst peers. Team members had to consider sequencing of designing/building, accessing components, measuring and replicating the 3D models of a bulkhead. The final bulkhead prototypes were evaluated utilizing an engineering design rubric.
My favorite part of the day was the staff sharing their diverse backgrounds and how their work relates to the world of digital shipbuilding.
It was great learning about the different career pathways into digital shipbuilding.
Parent, Newport News Schools
This was an amazing experience for our students and us as teachers. We were able to collaborate, learn and utilize critical thinking skills to solve problems during the engineering design challenge. I want to come back!