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SpaceCAD

2000
SpaceCAD is an entry level computer-aided design and drafting (CAD) curriculum for high school or adult students. Students learn CAD in the context of the exciting history of the U. S. manned space program. All SpaceCAD projects are based on authentic NASA technical drawings from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs. History overviews, links, and photographs are interwoven into the sequential CAD lessons with fully illustrated step-by-step tutorials and interactive quizzes. Also included in the site are practice projects and creative design challenges, which site visitors are encouraged to complete and submit to the site for uploading. There is also a list of links to design competitions to further challenge students. Although most commercial CAD programs are very expensive and beyond the budgets of many schools, SpaceCAD features a free CAD program that can be downloaded from the site. CadStd was created by John Apperson and features an intuitive, graphical interface. The program has a command set that is similar to AutoCAD and other commercial CAD programs. Students will find the CAD and design expertise gained from SpaceCAD will benefit them in preparing technical drawings and diagrams for other subjects such as Technology, Physics, Architecture and Geometry. The knowledge can also be applied to the preparation of entries for national design competitions: Exploravision, Duracell Scholarship Competition, Craftsman Young Inventors, JETS, Future Cities, NASA Mission to Mars, Science Fair, etc.