POE Unit 0

Mission Readiness: Safety, Tools & Engineering Systems

Students complete shared FabLab certifications, refresh engineering documentation and Fusion 360 skills, and practice systems thinking before beginning aerospace POE projects.

Back to POE Hub View Lesson Map Required Certifications Start Lesson 0.1

Unit Purpose

What this unit prepares you to do

POE projects use more tools, more testing, and more engineering analysis. Unit 0 makes sure everyone is ready to work safely, document clearly, and think like a systems engineer.

Work safely

Review PPE, FabLab expectations, hand tools, laser cutting, and 3D printing using the same shared certification system used across the engineering program.

Document evidence

Set up notebook habits for calculations, sketches, CAD screenshots, testing data, design decisions, and reflection.

Think in systems

Identify inputs, outputs, subsystems, constraints, feedback, and failure points in aerospace systems before building larger projects.

Shared FabLab Certifications

Required certifications

These are the same certification resources used in IED and the FabLab. Complete the required certification before using that tool independently.

Required

PPE / Engineering Safety

Review PPE, safe behavior, emergency expectations, and general FabLab safety before any shop activity.

Open Certification

Required

Hand Cutting Tools

Review safe use of cutting tools, measuring tools, clamps, adhesives, fastening, and basic assembly procedures.

Open Certification

Required

Laser Cutting

Review approved materials, file setup, ventilation, fire watch, job monitoring, and cleanup expectations.

Open Certification

Required

3D Printing

Review printer safety, slicer setup, filament rules, support choices, failed-print prevention, and cleanup.

Open Certification

Daily Lesson Map

Unit 0 lesson sequence

Each lesson produces evidence that shows you are prepared for aerospace POE design, fabrication, testing, and analysis.

Lesson	Title	Student Objective	Deliverable	Page
0.1	Welcome to Aerospace POE	I can explain how POE connects mechanisms, energy, structures, controls, materials, data, and aerospace systems.	POE course map reflection	Open Lesson
0.2	Engineering Notebook & Documentation Refresher	I can set up a POE notebook system for calculations, sketches, test data, CAD evidence, and design decisions.	Engineering notebook setup entry	Open Lesson
0.3	PPE and FabLab Safety	I can demonstrate understanding of PPE, shop behavior, emergency procedures, and safe tool expectations.	PPE/FabLab safety certification evidence	Open Lesson
0.4	Hand Tool Certification	I can safely use basic hand tools for measuring, cutting, fastening, clamping, and assembly.	Hand tool certification checklist or evidence	Open Lesson
0.5	Laser Cutter Certification	I can explain laser cutter safety, approved materials, file setup, ventilation, fire watch, and cleanup procedures.	Laser cutter certification evidence	Open Lesson
0.6	3D Printer Certification	I can prepare a basic 3D print job and explain printer safety, slicer setup, supports, and cleanup.	3D printer certification evidence	Open Lesson
0.7	Fusion 360 Refresher: Sketches, Constraints & Dimensions	I can create a fully constrained sketch using dimensions, geometric constraints, and clean design intent.	Dimensioned Fusion sketch screenshot	Open Lesson
0.8	Fusion 360 Refresher: Parts, Assemblies & Exports	I can create a simple part, organize components, and export files for fabrication or documentation.	Fusion part file plus STL, DXF, or export evidence as directed	Open Lesson
0.9	Systems Thinking in Aerospace Engineering	I can identify inputs, outputs, subsystems, constraints, feedback, and failure points in an aerospace system.	Aerospace system diagram	Open Lesson
0.10	VEX and Drone Readiness Orientation	I can identify safe operating expectations for VEX builds and Robolink drone activities.	VEX/drone readiness notes	Open Lesson
0.11	Aerospace Readiness Mini-Challenge: Plan	I can design a small aerospace support system using criteria, constraints, sketches, and a build plan.	Problem statement, sketch, criteria/constraints, and build plan	Open Lesson
0.12	Aerospace Readiness Mini-Challenge: Build, Test & Reflect	I can build, test, document, and reflect on a small aerospace support system.	Final notebook entry plus mini design review	Open Lesson

Unit Project

Aerospace readiness mini-challenge options

The mini-challenge is intentionally small. The goal is to prove that your team can work safely, document decisions, use basic design tools, and test a simple aerospace support system.

Drone Landing Zone Marker

Design a landing pad, target, or marker that can support future autonomous drone mission testing.

Payload Support Fixture

Build a simple fixture that holds a small payload securely during a later test or demonstration.

Rocket Component Stand

Create a support stand for a model rocket body, nose cone, fin section, or payload bay.

VEX Mechanism Test Base

Build a small base or fixture that can support a future VEX mechanism or test setup.

Wind or Motion Test Fixture

Create a small fixture used to hold an object during fan, motion, or structure testing.

Teacher-Approved Option

Propose another small aerospace support tool that can be planned, built, tested, and documented safely.

CAD Resources

Download Fusion 360 files and CAD reference models for this unit.

CAD Files

No CAD resources added yet

Fusion 360 refresher starter files, sample aerospace support fixtures, or downloadable CAD examples for POE Unit 0 will appear here when they are added.