"Manufacturing & Engineering Lab" logo with icons of a computer screen, light bulb, and engineer's helmet.

This program focuses on the Design-To-Build process, and the Identify, Strategize, Solve and Verify problem solving stages. Juniors learn CAD using Sketchup and Fusion 360, math and physics modeling. Seniors learn to lead a project from ideation to completion, advanced Fusion manufacturing techniques, and how to communicate professionally in email and voice with Industry Partners. In the shop, Juniors learn MiG welding (GMAW), manual machining, and 3D printing. Seniors focus on CNC, TiG (GTAW), turning (lathe) and casting. No prior shop experience required!

Manufacturing and Engineering Course Descriptions

First Year

  • Students will be introduced to real world engineering graphics. Subject material will include orthographic projection, isometric drawing, sectioning, auxiliary views and dimensioning. After the basics of technical drawing have been mastered, students will learn Computer Numerical Control (CNC) on the laser-cutter, 3D printer, and CNC machine.

    • 1 High School CTE Elective Credit

  • Students will cover the basic principles of manufacturing from conception through design to building a product. An emphasis is placed on industrial professionalism and team building. Topics include: lab safety, material and selection, hand tools, power tools, machine tools, welding, metal prep and finishing.

    • 1 High School CTE Elective Credit

    • 3 MHCC Credits for IMTL 171,172,173

  • Students will be introduced to the engineering process. This course covers critical math and physics concepts, principles of design process, brainstorming, engineering documentation, and team building. Students will be introduced to new engineering topics and will have opportunities to experiment through hands-on projects.

    • 1 High School Science Credit

    • 4 MHCC Credits for ET120

Second Year

  • CAD II moves from specific Fusion tools to using Fusion in the manufacturing process. From exporting toolpaths to drawings, students learn how to expand beyond the design workspace into animation, manufacturing, drawing and file import and export. The capstone project design process and a variety of design challenges are the main projects.

    • 1 High School CTE Elective Credit

  • Seniors add four new fabrication skills to their toolbox - CNC milling, turning (lathe), casting and TiG welding. Emphasis is on precision, fidelity to designs, and increasingly complex workflows. In addition to these four, students explore advanced techniques relevant their personal capstone project.

    • 1 High School CTE Elective Credit

  • Students will showcase their engineering and manufacturing skills with a self-directed hands-on project that challenge their creativity, design skills, project management, professional communication and manufacturing prowess. Senior projects reinforce the manufacturing process: from innovative idea to design to finished product.

    • .5 Higher Education & Career Path Skills Credit (Semester 1)

    • .5 High School CTE Elective Credit (Semester 2)

Meet the Team

Digital portrait of a smiling man with glasses and a beard. The background is an abstract blend of orange and yellow hues.

After many years as a math teacher, I graduated from math teacher to shop teacher, bringing my love of problem-solving and hands-on learning into the shop. At CAL, I focus on design-to-build projects that push students beyond basic welding and machining proficiency to turn ideas into reality.

In the shop I get to do all the things I could only try to do as a math teacher. Seeing my students grow as problem-solvers is the best part of my job!