Helping students learn
At Cutshop® we love giving back to the community – so when Albany Senior High School approached us asking if we’d invite some of their students into our Mt Wellington factory, we jumped at the opportunity.
We tasked them with making boxes in four different styles. For them it was the perfect way to put their design and practical skills to the test.
Albany Senior High School’s Alex Bevin knows a thing or two about the future of technology. With a background in mechanical engineering, the industrial design teacher is always thinking of ways to keep his students’ up to speed with new and innovative ways of working.
That’s why he approached Cutshop® - to see whether it would be possible to bring his class of NCEA level 1 and 2 students into the Mt Wellington factory to get some real-world, hand-on experience.
“I do know where the future is and what’s relevant in the industry so that’s always in the back of my mind. Cutshop® is up with the play with the latest technology, and I wanted my students to see how computers can be used in the design process.”
When they arrived, the students split into two groups – the first group was offered a tour of the workspace so they could see how the material was cut by the CNC machine, while the other half talked to the engineers about designing boxes.
“The idea was for the students to get hands-on experience, so, after talking to the engineers they were able to put their learning into practice and assemble some boxes. We brought them back to our class and now use them for a range of purposes, including storage.”
Alex says the experience was an excellent learning opportunity.
“I think that’s the holy grail if the students can design a product, make it, and then get use out of it. They get to see and experience the benefits of their work.”
Alex is hoping to continue his relationship with Cutshop® well into the future.
“Talking to Simon, he was something else, he was so passionate about it. He’s grown it from the ground up and he’s got a great story to go along with it.”
