Design & Fabrication

This two-year program is all about creation, turning ideas into designed images and those images into real three dimensional, useful, and attractive products. A major part of the program consists of using several drawing and Computer Aided Design (CAD) software programs. Students develop knowledge of the working properties of metals such as steel, cast iron, aluminum and brass as well as plastics, composites, wood, and marble and how those properties affect their product design. Students turn their ideas into products on a variety of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) and manual equipment. A variety of precision and hand measuring tools are used during creation and inspection of products. Safety, material selection, purchasing, product cost and record keeping are also taught during the first year. Most aspects of the fabrication industry are explored during the year.

During the second year of the program the students’ product designs become much more complex and marketing issues such as costs of materials, personnel and equipment time, accounting procedures, customer and marketing methods are included in design decisions. Students produce products from blueprints and written specifications of their own design utilizing CNC equipment and directly connected computer to laser and plasma cutters. They come to understand product liability and safety, and appreciate the necessity of following precise procedural sequences and detailed documentation. This program includes an introduction to starting one’s own business. Job attitudes and employer/employee relationships, like those found in industry, are emphasized to ensure future success. All projects simulate those made in modern companies. Tours of local and out-of-state inventors, small and large scale fabrication companies and machine shops are taken throughout the program.



The main goal of SkillsUSA is to provide students who are preparing for a wide variety of careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, with professional development opportunities that supplement their academic and technical education. SkillsUSA programs and activities help its 285,000 student members develop public speaking skills, and improve their ability to conduct and participate in meetings, manage financial matters, solve problems, and assume responsibility for community service. Students participate in state leadership conferences and competitions. Each June, students earning first place at the state level in leadership and technical skill competitions, travel to Kansas City, MO to compete at the national conference.