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Brian Purvis

Brian is the former Manager of Instruction for the GE Brilliant Career Lab, a curriculum centered mobile FAB Lab that served Boston area public high schools.  Previously he led the Gilbert Innovation Hub, where he leveraged his 27 years as a public school STEM educator to open an integrated maker space at the heart of a Title 1 STEM elementary school.  During his career he has also started an equity centered youth leadership organization, worked to train new teachers at the collegiate level and provided professional development on inquiry based instructional techniques.  Brian is passionate about leveraging digital fabrication technology to enhance and transform traditional K-12 education. Currently he mixes his position an Educational FAB Lab Specialist and computer science teacher with consulting for organizations interested in immersive learning experiences centered on technology.  Brian holds degrees in History (UNC-Pembroke) and Science Education (UNC-Chapel Hill) as well as certification in K-12 Computer Science.  He lives with his family in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Lesson Plans

SCRATCH the Itch of Computer Programming
Students use a series of project challenges to create various types of computer games using the software language SCRATCH While…
June 28, 2020
computer, Programming, Game Development, Game Design, Block coding, Scratch.mit.edu, Games, build challenge, programming, 5E Model of Instruction, 5E, Game Design, Game Development, Coding, Middle School, Scratch
Shapes into Shelters
In this lesson students deconstruct a picture of a house into its constituent shapes before using TinkerCAD to recreate that…
June 28, 2020
CAD, 3D printer, computer, TinkerCAD, Intro to Fab Lab, 3D printing, build challenge, mixed media, 5E Model of Instruction, Shapes, Middle School, TinkerCAD
In a Jam: A problem based challenge for Sports Medicine
In this lesson students will reflect on the Everyday in the life of a Biomedical Engineer by solving a design…
June 22, 2020
CAD, 3D printer, 2D and 3D design software, computer, Intro to Fab Lab, 3D printing, 3D modeling, build challenge, medical device, 5E Model of Instruction, Wearable, TinkerCAD
Modeling Flight: The Basics of Aerospace Engineering
This lesson immerses participants in the knowledge base and processes of an aerospace engineer While designing their own working airplanes…
June 22, 2020
2D design software, laser cutter, build challenge, inkscape, motion, energy, 2D vector design software, 5E Model of Instruction, laser cut, Experiment Design, Middle School
Lesson Landing Pad: 3D Printing
This is a new type of lesson page Instead of serving as a place to find a singular lesson about…
May 21, 2019
3D printer, 3D scanner, 3D Design Software, 2D and 3D design software, Intro to Fab Lab, 3D printing, 3D modeling, 3D scanning
Wind Turbine STEM/Digital Fabrication Challenge
Enhance your subject area content and career connections by using digital fabrication to design and make blades for a wind…
November 9, 2018
electronics, 2D design software, Laser cutter, build challenge, mixed media, inkscape, cardboard, energy, 2D vector graphics, physics, 2D vector design software, electricity, environmental science
Airplane Mechanic
This lesson highlights an example of Everyday in the life of an Airplane Mechanic What kind of work might an…
May 16, 2018
2D design software, laser cutter, GE Collection, Fab Tested, laser cutting
Biomedical Engineer
This lesson reflects on Everyday in the life of a Biomedical Engineer What does a Biomedical Engineer do Biomedical Engineer…
May 16, 2018
3D printer, 2D and 3D design software, laser cutter, GE Collection, Fab Tested, 3D printing, 3D modeling

Brian Purvis's Collections