Engineering Design Students Create DIY Automaton Kits

By Assistant Head of School for Academics David Long

One of the hallmarks of a Galloway education is that we use hands-on learning to engage students and deepen their learning. We also provide real-world challenges for students to solve as it brings meaning to the work that they are doing. Ms. Jimenez’s UL Engineering Design class is a great example of these beliefs in action. 

Students in the class were charged with creating a do-it-yourself kit suitable for anyone interested in putting together an automaton. An automaton is a mechanical robot that is powered by a DC motor and batteries. Through this project, students learned to develop their 3D modeling skills, learn how to effectively use the laser cutter, and use simple mechanisms, such as wheels, sliders, or levers to transform motion and generate energy.  

To start the project, students took apart and reassembled existing automata to better understand how they work. Students then sketched their own design on paper, created a 3D model of it using Fusion 360, edited their design in Adobe Illustrator, and used the laser cutter to cut exact 2D pieces. In the end, students worked in pairs to create their own DIY automaton that anyone can assemble. Ms. Jimenez’s project is another wonderful example of how our faculty inspire relevant hands-on learning for our students!