Design and Fabrication
Design and fabrication is an expansion from the construction lab in earlier grades. Senior School students can express their creativity with real-world tools.
Course Overview
The design and fabrication lab (formerly metalworks) introduces students to design and fabrication while earning three high school credits in Grade 10 and five in Grades 11 and 12. This program provides students with hands-on learning in a shop setting, allowing them to express their creativity with real-world applications.
Design and fabrication is available for students in Grades 10–12.
Learning by Grade Level
Grades 10–12
Design and Fabrication students will learn the fundamentals of design techniques. Students will focus on applying their design skills to various media, initially using fine metals such as copper and brass.
Within this course, students will learn basic design and fabrication skills. Students will specifically focus on design considerations, pattern layout, sawing/piercing, filing, sinking, soldering, and finishing.
The Grade 10 year is a foundational year that focuses on the physical fabrication of students’ designs, with a brief introduction to working in Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs and the associated hardware. Students will have the opportunity to work with the CNC machine, 3D printer, and laser cutter.
The Grade 11 and 12 years are intermediate and advanced years that build on students’ skill sets. There will always be a heavy focus on hands-on fabrication skills, but students will also develop skills using external machines. Within each project design brief, students will use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to create mock-ups of their proposed projects.
Integrated Studies Blog
Explore stories, classroom highlights and learning experiences related to this program and Integrated Studies at Calgary Academy.