TAMPA, Fla. — Utilizing a lot of technology and even more heart, students in a very smart classroom at Alonso High School are bringing holiday joy to more than 100 Tampa Bay area families in need.
The students in the Modeling & Simulation class are using hi-tech skills to "engineer" more than 100 festive ornaments for grade-schoolers at Sullivan Elementary, which partners with Metropolitan Ministries.
"I want the kids to not only learn these programs and develop skills, but to be able to build a finished project," says teacher Bradley Watson.
And if they can also do something for the greater good, even better.
Using Blender software, students create a digital prototype of a physical model. In this case, an ornament with Sullivan's horse mascot on it.
They then use a 3D printer, ingenuity and elbow grease to create and paint the actual ornaments. Ribbons and elf hats are also involved.
Brandon, a sophomore in the class, says, "It was really cool to do something for someone else, instead of a normal assignment."
The ornaments, all blue and beautiful, will be delivered this week.
