Tech Directions - February 2008 - (Page 3)

contents PRE-ENGINEERING 15 How Engineers Engineer—Lessons from My First Big Engineering Project By Harry T. Roman An engineer’s recollection of his first big project illuminates the engineering process and gives teachers and students a sense of the challenges and satisfactions of a career in engineering. February 2008 Vol. 67, No. 7 CAD/CAM 18 Tips on Creating Complex Geometry Using Solid Modeling Software By George Gow Three-dimensional CAD software, or solid modeling software, is easy to learn, fun to use, and becoming the standard in industry. However, many students and teachers find creating complex geometry with the solid modeling software quite challenging. This article provides assistance. page 15 ELECTRICITY/ELECTRONICS 21 Press to Test—Shop-Built BJT Checker Is Easy to Use By Charles Harman Whether you are a student or an instructor, it’s very helpful to have the means to check the operation of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) at the proto-board stage. Here’s a handy BJT checker that you can build. CONFERENCE PREVIEW Technology Education 26 InternationalConference—Teaching Association TIDE with Pride CAREER DIRECTIONS 24 Cable Television Technician By Pam Moore Everything students need to know about careers for cable television technicians— wages, responsibilities, skills needed, career advancement possibilities, and more. SPECIAL FEATURE 27 Professional Development Opportunities Programs that provide educators with a great way to keep up with current technology, upgrade skills, and fulfill continuing education requirements. COLUMNS 2 Technically Speaking Susanne Peckham 12 Technology Today Alan Pierce 5 Direct from Washington Anne C. Lewis 14 Mastering Computers Reid Goldsborough 9 The News Report Susanne Peckham 10 Technology’s Past Dennis Karwatka 28 Product Central 30 Free for the Asking 36 More than Fun page 12 www.techdirections.com About the cover: Students from the machining, manufacturing, and electronics programs at Wabash Community College, Mt. Carmel, IL, developed and showcased their technical skills by building this attention-getting chopper. (See page 9 for details.) Photo courtesy of Delcam. Cover design by Sharon K. Miller. CONTENTS 3 http://www.techdirections.com

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Tech Directions - February 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers How Engineers Engineer—Lessons from My First Big Engineering Project Tips on Creating Complex Geometry Using Solid Modeling Software Press to Test—Shop-Built BJT Checker Is Easy Cable Television Technician International Technology Education Association Conference—Teaching TIDE with Pride Professional Development Opportunities Product Central Free for the Asking More than Fun

Tech Directions - February 2008

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