[angelah]

We use SolidWorks to design our robot in full each year before we build it. In the fall, we do a few weeks of training, each night a mix of PP lecture and hands-on work. Then they work on old robots. Honestly, though, the most they learn is during build season. Everyone uses CAD to design a part of the robot, as far as they are able to go, even though their work may not be used in the final design. Two or three main students, usually the same students who provided the bulk of the training in the fall, finish it off.

As far as the lectures go, we just made a list of what students need to know to design the robot and worked backwards from there. We have had a few students end up getting their CSWA, but most just learn enough to help out.