TriMech Inspires Next Generation of Women in STEM at ENVISION Career Day

Four members of TriMech’s technical team dedicated their Saturday to inspiring students at Penn State’s annual program, ENVISION: STEM Career Day Supporting Young Women, for girls in grades 6-12. STEM learning encompasses the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and focuses on breaking down problems with an objective and analytical approach.

On February 24th, Andrea Bevill, Heather Dawe-Rose, Brandi Groth, and Tracy Wettig traveled to State College, PA, to conduct three breakout sessions for middle and high school students, teaching them about 3D Printing, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and what it means to work as an engineering team.

During each session, students were introduced to several types of 3D printers and were given their own 3D printed Mars Rover kit using powder bed 3D printing Selective Absorption Fusion (SAF) technology printed by TriMech, with materials kindly donated by our partners at Stratasys.

The students were divided into teams and tasked with creating the “rover of the future” using SOLIDWORKS configurations and assemblies. First, the students virtually customized and created their rover using SOLIDWORKS. Then, using handheld 3D printers, they took their 3D printed models and designed their unique rovers.

During the ENVISION event, representatives from the Eberly College of Science Office of Science Outreach reported, “Participants enjoyed the hands-on activities at ENVISION and appreciated the workshops where they explored various topics and job possibilities in STEM.” At the end of each session, TriMech engineers led a discussion on how projects rely on engineering teams with different specialties and backgrounds to turn an idea into reality. TriMech had engineers from our Application Solutions, Professional Services, and Client Success Team representing at the event. They were able to explain how all three teams, along with other outstanding TriMech team members, work together to help clients create new and exciting products every day.

Teaching is at the heart of TriMech, offering over 50 training courses spanning a variety of technologies and programs, including SOLIDWORKS and 3D printing.