Reply by BinghamtonEd

Along with what others were saying, and Les hit on it a bit, I think it would be beneficial to know what the properties are of wood (hardwoods, softwoods, ply, MDF etc) are, and how they impact the decision making process when approaching a project. For instance, if I’m designing a floor cabinet for a bathroom, I might need to consider that MDF’s sponge-like properties might make it lower on my list. Perhaps it might also be appropriate to discuss design factors that need to be considered when using a combination of solid and ply.

I don’t know what the students’ history is with design/construction of projects, but I think one of the most useful lessons that can be learned is a general lesson on approaching a design with a problem-solving attitude.

- What is the project?
- What are the constraints of the project?
- What are the expectations of the project?
- What wood do I choose? What are the positives and negatives of this wood, and how will that impact my project, both during construction and as a finished item?

Being a SW engineer by trade, I value someone who possesses independent-thinking and problem solving skills. You want people who can self-lead, and don’t need someone to hold their hand through everything. I think they need to know not only what the properties are, but how to use that knowledge in real-life.

-- - The mightiest oak in the forest is just a little nut that held its ground.