Architectural Software Donation From DATACAD Helps Milford Students Acquire Job Skills
DATACAD will outfit Milford High School's new 22-seat technology lab with DataCAD version 11 and o2c Interactive. DataCAD is a professional-level software program that provides all of the tools required to complete an architectural design project -- from 2D design detailing and construction document creation, to 3D modeling, to photo-realistic visualization and virtual walk-throughs. o2c Interactive is a 3D presentation program that will allow the students to publish their designs to the school's web site. Initial teacher training and support will be provided at no charge by Manny Snyderman, President of Snyderman Associates Inc., a local consulting firm and community advocate who has used DataCAD for more than 20 years. Manny will also assist in curriculum development that reflects the practical aspects of architectural design, and will be working with teachers and students on a scheduled and consistent basis.
"One of the most rewarding aspects of this grant is the commitment from both Mark Madura, CEO of DATACAD, and Manny Snyderman to ensure the success of our program," said Milford High School Principal and visionary John Brucato. "Schools are never going to have enough resources to keep pace with their technology needs -- the technology evolves too fast and is very costly to keep current. DATACAD has pledged to keep our software releases up to date. Manny Snyderman has been our champion from the beginning. He set up the initial contact with DATACAD and is willing to work with both our students and teachers free of charge. His actions demonstrate a deep dedication to the future of our students, the community, and our local economy. We are very proud to offer a high-caliber architectural design solution like DataCAD to our students, which is second only to AutoCAD in terms of market penetration among architects."
Commented Manny: "I have a great deal of experience with DataCAD dating back to the early 80s. The software has come a long way since then, and I have been a positive, outspoken supporter and advocate of both Mark Madura's company and its products. The greatest thing about DataCAD is that it is user- and interface-friendly. It is extremely powerful in the area of producing construction drawings, and also has a very good 3D modeling engine. With the addition of the o2c Player, we as designers and architects can model our projects and export them to files that can be viewed by our clients, for free, on their own PCs with software that is freely-distributable via the DataCAD web site. It is an outstanding tool for communicating with clients. I have heard o2c files referred to as 'PDFs that spin.' Clients can manipulate the files and spin around a model for views from every conceivable angle. Being able to pass along some of my practical knowledge in the building industry and demonstrate software to students interested in pursuing higher education in architecture or engineering is something to which I look forward."
Partnership With Industry Provides Authentic Learning Experience For Students
The DataCAD 11 acquisition fulfills part of a broader vision of John Brucato and Occupational Education teacher Tom Rosa. The pair is bringing to life a state-of-the-art technology center where mainstream high school students can acquire engineering and architectural design skills that are normally taught in colleges or technical trade schools.
"It is important for high school students to have as many authentic learning experiences -- those that closely simulate the real work world -- as can be made available," said John Brucato. "To put it bluntly, higher skills equal higher pay once they graduate. The American high school has changed from the old industrial age model, with the teacher standing behind the lectern, directing a class of students sitting in neat rows. We are bringing the world of work into the school by creating an interactive, student-directed classroom and giving these young people the opportunity to interact and learn the same technology that is used by professionals."
John Brucato hired teacher Tom Rosa four years ago, and together they set about transforming the old woodshop space into a fabrications area and computer lab. According to John Brucato, "We saw the need to develop partnerships with industry, not only to outfit the lab, but to keep the technology current." Computer hardware donated by EMC Corporation got the lab started, and from there John Brucato began to reconstruct the curriculum. "We phased out programs like typing and basic computers -- now students enter high school with these skills. We started to offer courses in desktop publishing, advanced photography, and advanced computer technology. All of the kids are A+ certifiable when they leave here."
Milford started a college-level engineering program this year, offering students hands-on courses in robotics and mechanical design that were made possible through donations by industry. Adding an architectural design program was Tom Rosa's idea. "We needed to get more women involved in engineering, and I thought an architectural design curriculum would help us achieve that goal."
Architectural design will be taught beginning this spring in the TechEd II class, with a full-blown course in Computer Aided Design starting in Fall 2006. Like the other occupational education courses taught at Milford, the students will learn DataCAD while designing a real architectural project -- a gardening shed for the school groundskeepers. "I used to own a construction business, so I am familiar with architectural design techniques," commented Tom Rosa. "One of the main reasons I was interested in DataCAD is that you can design a building in 3D from the onset. Kids think in 3D, so it feels natural to them. We will start with the 3D building, then show how they can look at the building from different perspectives. Another important aspect is to demonstrate how the 3D model and 2D construction documents are associated -- how a change to the model can be reflected in the construction documents. My goal is to get the students to the point where they can create a basic house design and the associated plans."
Photos available upon request.
About DataCAD
DataCAD is a professional-level AEC CADD program for architectural design, photo-realistic rendering, animation, and construction document creation. Developed by architects and software engineers for architecture, DataCAD includes tools that make design and drafting easier, such as automatic door and window insertion, associative dimensioning and hatching, automated 3D framing and OpenDWG(R)-based DXF/DWG translators. DataCAD is listed as the second most-widely used software by registered architects according to the most recent American Institute of Architects (AIA) firm survey.
DATACAD LLC is an independent, privately-held company that provides robust computer-aided design and drafting solutions to architecture, engineering, and construction firms. DataCAD is a professional-level, AEC CADD program for architectural design, photo-realistic rendering, and construction document creation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DATACAD Company Contact:
Mark F. Madura, DATACAD LLC
Tel. (860) 677-4004 x11 / E-mail:
Email Contact
Milford High School Contact:
John Brucato, Principal, Milford High School
Tel. (508) 478-1111
Press Contact:
Becky Stevens, Virtual Marketing
Tel. (713) 444-6860 / E-mail:
Email Contact
CONTACT: Mark F. Madura of DATACAD LLC, +1-860-677-4004, ext. 11,
Email Contact; John Brucato, Principal of Milford High School,
+1-508-478-1111; or Becky Stevens of Virtual Marketing, +1-713-444-6860,
Email Contact
Web site: http://www.datacad.com/
Nice! February 26, 2021
