About the Project

For many years I’ve been wanting to teach middle school students the elements of computer aided drafting and CNC routering (Computer Numerically Controlled Router). There is a software/machine combination called Carvewright that I’ve been using almost 10 years to carve, cut, and router my own designs. I’ve made everything from furniture, to signs, to hollow wooden surfboards that actually surf. These crafts have shown up in my classroom over the years. I have been able to do some very unique things with this carving machine and have wondered what benefits my students could have if they could watch their own designs come to life in wood and nylon (softer materials). Imagine students who struggle in math class, able to convert fractions to decimals as their measure, engineer, and design.