OnShape Navigation Skills

Overview

Students will learn where key tools and workspace controls live in OnShape and practice using them to complete a short “interface scavenger hunt.” This builds the foundation for later unit lessons where students model parts and document their work.

Learning intentions

Students will be able to:

• Identify major OnShape interface areas (workspace, toolbars, feature tree, and document/browser panel).
• Use navigation controls (rotate, pan, zoom) to find and inspect objects.
• Locate common modeling tools and understand what each tool needs (selection, sketch plane, or faces).
• Follow a step-by-step procedure accurately while recording observations for later use.

Success criteria

Students can:

• Point to and name at least 4 interface components during partner check.
• Demonstrate correct navigation of a view (rotate, pan, zoom) without losing the object.
• Complete the scavenger hunt steps with accurate written notes of where each control is found.
• Explain (in 1–2 sentences) how they decided what tool to use based on what they selected.

Curriculum links

• Mathematics/Geometry: Solve and interpret multi-step construction conditions by drawing conclusions from given measures and tool outcomes (to connect “setup → action → result” reasoning).
• Technology and Tools (Mathematical Practice): Use appropriate tools and technology intentionally, recognizing limitations and checking for errors while working.
• Writing: Introduce and organize ideas clearly and use formatting to document steps and observations effectively.

Lesson structure (45 minutes total)

1. 0–5 min · Hook (Quick Demo). Teacher displays a two-minute screen-recording of navigating OnShape (rotate/pan/zoom) and asks students to notice what changes when the mouse action changes. Students respond with a 1-sentence “I noticed…” in their notebook or on a provided response card.

2. 5–15 min · Direct teach (Interface map). Teacher projects OnShape and points out: document/browser area, workspace, graphics area, toolbars, and feature list (when visible), plus the main navigation controls. Students label a printed “OnShape interface map” and highlight the navigation controls in a different color.

3. 15–30 min · Guided practice (Scavenger hunt). Teacher gives students a short task list: “Find and show,” such as:

• “Rotate the view so the object face is visible.”
• “Zoom in to make a feature readable.”
• “Pan to center the object.”
• “Locate where you would select a face/plane for a tool.”
• “Find the place where features or changes are listed.” Teacher circulates with a checklist and gives quick fixes for common errors (accidental clicks, losing the object, selecting the wrong face). Students complete each step on the same OnShape practice document and record where they found each control (e.g., “top toolbar,” “left panel,” “in-view controls”).

4. 30–38 min · Partner verification (Teach-back). Teacher pairs students and assigns roles: “Navigator” and “Explainer.” The Navigator performs two navigation actions while the Explainer points and names the control they used. Students complete a partner “I can explain” check using sentence frames:

• “I chose this tool because I selected…”
• “I used pan to…”

5. 38–44 min · Check for understanding (Micro-quiz + review). Teacher runs a 3-question oral/slide review: (1) Which action zooms in? (2) What area holds the list of actions/features? (3) Why is selecting important before using a tool? Students answer individually on a sticky note or quick form.

6. 44–45 min · Exit ticket (Next-step readiness). Students write one actionable goal for Lesson 4 (example: “I will practice selecting the correct face before starting a tool”). Teacher collects exit tickets to group students for targeted support next class.

Resources

• Projector or interactive display with OnShape running
• OnShape practice document (preloaded model or blank workspace, teacher-created)
• Printed interface map worksheet for labeling components
• Scavenger hunt step sheet with 5–7 tasks
• Student devices with access to OnShape (headsets optional)
• Checklist for teacher walkthrough
• Sentence frames handout for partner verification
• Exit ticket slips or digital response form (no hyperlinks)

Assessment

• Formative: Teacher checklist during scavenger hunt (navigation accuracy, correct use of selection, ability to locate key interface areas).
• Formative: Partner verification using the sentence frames (students explain tool choice based on selection).
• Summative (mini): 3-question micro-quiz to confirm core navigation and interface knowledge.
• Exit ticket: one goal statement to guide next lesson supports.

Differentiation

• Support for beginners: Provide a “navigation first” option—students start with rotate/zoom/pan tasks before tool-finding tasks; offer a highlighted version of the interface map.
• Language supports: Sentence frames for teach-back and quick note recording (especially for EAL students).
• Skill grouping: Teacher can form mixed-ability pairs where the stronger navigator role-models step order, while the other student focuses on naming components.
• Extension for early finishers: Add a challenge line: “Switch to a new view that shows a different face, and explain what you changed to get there.”