Courses
GCAD’s collaborative workspaces foster interdisciplinary projects that require experimental, hands-on work and encourage the use of design thinking to capitalize on soft skills like imagination, creativity, and empathy while increasing knowledge of design principles and fabrication techniques. By providing students with cutting-edge tools, state-of-the art technology, and the support they need to become creative problem solvers, GCAD reflects Lawrenceville’s commitment to STEAM education for ALL students.
Sample Courses
- IN515 — A Hero’s Journey: Lewis and Clark
- IN568 — Design for Social Change
- SC563 — Projects in Engineering
- VA200 — Foundations of Art 1
- VA300 — Foundations of Art
- VA 301 — Drawing
- VA303 — Video Journalism
- VA304 — Technical Design/Digital Fabrication
- VA401 — Painting
- VA410 — Architecture
- VA412 — Ceramics 1
- VA414 — Photography 1
- VA422 — Ceramics 2
- VA501 — Advanced Studio
- VA520 — Advanced Technical Design/Digital Fabrication
IN515 — A Hero’s Journey: Lewis and Clark
IN568 — Design for Social Change
SC563 — Projects in Engineering
VA200 — Foundations of Art 1
VA300 — Foundations of Art
VA 301 — Drawing
VA303 — Video Journalism
VA304 — Technical Design/Digital Fabrication
VA401 — Painting
VA410 — Architecture
VA412 — Ceramics 1
VA414 — Photography 1
VA422 — Ceramics 2
VA501 — Advanced Studio
VA520 — Advanced Technical Design/Digital Fabrication
Build a Square Cherry Shaker Table
Table Workshop Dates
Sundays
1:00pm - 3:00pm
1:00pm - 3:00pm
March 29*
April 5*
April 19*
April 26*
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
This workshop offers an introduction to the construction principles used in fine woodworking. Through the use of a wide range of tools and machinery, you will build a cherry, Shaker-style end table with a drawer. As we go through the process of taking lumber-in-the-rough to finished, dimensioned parts, you will learn the proper use of stationary power equipment including the table saw, jointer, planer, miter saw, band saw, and slot mortiser. In addition to learning basic joinery techniques, you will be taught how to sand, assemble, and finish your table. Completion of this workshop and successful passing of a safety test will give you a working knowledge of the tools and techniques necessary to continue using the GCAD Wood Shop.
The following will be covered during the course of the workshop:
- Taking lumber-in-the-rough to finished, dimensioned parts
- Drawer construction and fitting
- Solid wood tabletop construction
- Loose mortise-and-tenon, miter, and lock joint joinery
For safety reasons, and to keep the pace in the Wood Shop flowing at a reasonable rate, this workshop will be capped at eight participants who will need to commit to attending the first four 2-hour sessions (*) where we will work collectively to mill up the parts. From there, participants will be able to work more independently to finish up the project.
Build a Solid Wood Frame
Workshop 1
Fridays
March 27, 6pm - 8 pm
April 3, 6pm - 8pm
April 17, 6pm - 8pm
April 24, 6pm - 9pm
Workshop 2
Fridays
May 1, 6pm - 8pm
May 8, 6pm - 8pm
May 15, 6pm - 8pm
May 22, 6pm - 9pm
This workshop offers an introduction to the construction principles used in fine woodworking. Through the use of a wide range of tools and machinery, you will build a solid wood frame. As we go through the process of taking lumber-in-the-rough to finished, dimensioned parts, you will learn the proper use of stationary power equipment including the table saw, jointer, planer, miter saw, and band saw. In addition to learning how to assemble wood parts using a miter joint, you will be taught how to sand, assemble, and finish your frame. You may customize the face of your frame through the use of a traditional, solid wood inlay technique or by creating your own design and etching it onto the surface of the wood using the laser cutter. Completion of this workshop and successful passing of a safety test will give you a working knowledge of the tools and techniques necessary to continue using the GCAD Wood Shop.
The following will be covered during the course of the workshop:
- Taking lumber-in-the-rough to finished, dimensioned parts
- Drawer construction and fitting
- Solid wood tabletop construction
- Loose mortise-and-tenon, miter, and lock-joint joinery
- Traditional solid wood inlay
- Optional: basics of Rhino 3D software and how to use the laser cutter
For safety reasons, and to keep the pace in the wood shop flowing at a reasonable rate, this workshop will be capped at eight participants who will need to commit to attending the first three 2-hour sessions to learn how to use the tools and machinery, the milling process, and fabrication techniques. From there, if a participant chooses the traditional inlay technique, he/she can finish up in one more 2-hour session or on his/her own. If a participant chooses to etch his/her own design using the laser cutter, he/she will need to complete the 3-hour session to learn the basics of Rhino 3D software and how to use the laser cutter. He/she would then work independently to create a design; schedule with me to use the laser cutter; and edge, sand, and finish the frame.
Rough to Smooth: Using the Band Saw, Jointer, Planer, Miter Saw, and Sanders
Tool Training Workshop
Dates TBD
This workshop covers the safe operation of tools and techniques used to take lumber-in-the-rough to finished, dimensioned parts. While the band saw, jointer, planer, and miter saw are used to make flat and straight rectilinear parts, curved shapes are created using the disc sander, spindle sander, and edge sander. Completion of this workshop and successful passing of a safety test will give faculty and students a working knowledge of the tools and techniques necessary to use the GCAD Wood Shop.
Skill Development:
- Working knowledge of the safe use of power equipment
- Understanding of blade rotation and directional forces involved in machining wood
- Understanding of wood grain direction and how to orient the board to the machines
- Safe use of hand-held jig saw to cut rough lumber
- Safe use of the band saw to make rip cuts and curve cuts
- Safe use of the jointer to smooth and flatten boards
- Safe use of the planer to create a second flat and parallel face
- Safe use of the compound sliding miter saw to make accurate cross cuts and miters
- Safe use of the sanders to finish off edges
No Kickback: Using the Table Saw
Tool Training Workshop
Dates TBD
Through hands-on instruction, you will gain a solid understanding of how to use the table saw safely to cut parts accurately. While being guided through the techniques used to safely rip and crosscut materials, you will learn about the SawStop safety features, correct blade selection, and how to change the saw blade. In addition, you will become familiar with the machining properties of a variety of different types of materials (solid wood, MDF, plywood, acrylic, cardboard, and foam board) and learn the process of using stacked dado blades to create saw kerf dados and rabbets.
Skill Development:
- Safe use of the table saw to make accurate cross cuts, rip cuts, and miters
- Understanding of blade rotation and directional forces involved in machining wood
- Understanding of wood grain direction and how to rip and crosscut solid wood
- Understanding of the properties of different types of materials
- Understanding of the proper use of the SawStop safety features
- Safe use of the stacked dado blade set