The world around us is an incredibly complex engineering challenge requiring thousands of people to build and run efficiently. Most of these people require significant amounts of education and training so how does one enter this field?

One way to get started is to take Introduction to Design, Engineering and Architecture also known as IDEA. It is an introductory class to the engineering process and technology used in some fields.

The class has access to a variety of tools. The class has utilized computers, notebooks and calipers for various projects.

 Freshman Easton Suponchick has finished several projects including but not limited to modeling a train in Autodesk Inventor a CAD software, and creating a box to safely move cupcakes.

Some people choose to take IDEA to help open career options in the future. Others do it just because they think it would be fun.

“It’s been quite good so far,” Suponchick said. “I chose it because I like to do stem classes and I figured this would be interesting as a first year in high school.”

The class has many benefits as it focuses on teaching teamwork and other useful skills.

“Alot of kids go through junior high and sometimes without ever learning how to work with somebody,” Industrial Technology Teacher Mr. Evan Horak said. “It just helps them be a better worker.”

The school also offers similar classes that focus more on physical work. One of these classes is Woods 1.

“I teach Woods 1, Woods 2, and IDEA,” Mr Horak said. “They all use problem solving and working in groups.”

The class can help open pathways for someone’s future in a wide variety of fields

Mr Horak feels that the class could lead to fields in engineering, drafting, and architecture. “Really anything that has problem solving.”

Everything was designed and built by someone whether it be towering skyscrapers or something as simple as a ballpoint pen, and everyone has to start getting the skills they need somewhere, and it might be as a Freshman taking IDEA.