#STEMbassador Senior Spotlight: Joshua Hoffmann

What made you want to become a STEM Ambassador in the first place?

I enjoy working with others and solving problems, and the STEMbassador program was the perfect combination of STEM and community interaction. I was also excited to work with interesting technologies like the 3D printers and laser cutters in the Fab Lab.

What has been your biggest learning curve in the lab?

Learning the details and techniques of the Corel Draw program was difficult but very rewarding once I learned how to do it.

What tool do you like best and why?

I definitely like the laser cutter the most because of the huge variety of projects that can be made with it.

How is the lab helping you see potential in your future plans for college or career?

The lab helped prepare me to study for a degree in mechanical engineering by helping me develop my ability to use CAD software and fabrication technologies.

What has been your biggest success in the lab so far?

My biggest success has definitely been designing a chess set and creating it with slot construction and the laser cutter.

What are you most proud of from your experiences as a STEM Ambassador?

I am most proud of the work I have been able to do at STEM events and STEAM summer camp, where I was able to teach others how to use the engineering design process to work through different challenges.

What are your plans for next year?

I plan to major in mechanical engineering at Purdue.

Delran STEMbassadors are Delran High School students selected from applicants because they demonstrated a passion for STEM, and possessed outstanding communication skills. Much like an internship, STEMbassadors have participated in rigorous training within the Delran Innovation & Fabrication Lab space. These learning opportunities are not available to most high school students in our country, since the idea of digital fabrication has only begun to grow in the K-12 sector, to meet the needs of Workforce Development. Delran's STEMbassadors have experienced and now taught others in computer-aided design software in 2D and 3D, including Corel Draw, FabMakerStudio, Tinkercad, etc. STEM Ambassadors have utilized these digital design skills to fabricate on vinyl cutters, 3D printers, laser cutters and die cut machines. While teaching others, including younger students in community outreach programs, and adults in staff professional development programs, STEMbassadors share their expertise with others. We are certain that this platform for intelligent, relevant communication and positive interaction, will encourage our STEMbassadors to be at the forefront of the next generation of STEM innovators.