Product Realization Lab Teaching Assistant

I worked as a TA in the Stanford Product Realization Lab from 2022-2024. I spent 20 hours/week staffing the lab, split between the machine shop, wood shop, foundry, and general makerspace. As a part of my job, I taught students how to use equipment in all areas of the lab, and in the process got tons of hands-on experience with the machines.

As a teaching assistant, I also coached small groups of students in the core design and manufacturing class ME 103/203 (one of my favorite parts of being a TA!). I worked with them throughout the 10-week quarter to develop products of personal meaning and figure out how to best design and manufacture those objects within the constraints of our lab. I learned a ton from working on a variety of projects with over 25 students over my time as a coach, from espresso portafilters to card shufflers to incense burners.

Working in the PRL was also a constant learning experience for me. Some examples of fabrication areas I became proficient in include…

• CNC machining

• Manual milling and turning

• Metrology

• Investment casting

• Sand casting & pouring metal

• Metal finishing techniques

• Injection molding

• Oxyacetylene & TIG welding

• Brazing

• Waterjet cutting

• Sheet metal forming

• Woodworking

• Basic shop maintenance