Fundraisers and selling chocolate are common ways that students raise money for programs here at Francis Lewis High School. However, engineering teacher Mr. Shiue has found a unique way to fundraise by printing 3D toys and selling them to students and faculty.
“The purpose for these 3D printed toys was to raise funds for the engineering clubs and classes,” Mr. Shiue added. “The classes require project material, and some clubs require things as well.”
“These 3D printed toys were cute and adorable,” Mr. Shiue said. “I printed a few to see how students would react to them and the students that saw them fell in love with the toys immediately.”
As he started this new way to fundraise, he soon realized “why people say, ‘don’t mix business with pleasure’.” However, it didn’t stop Mr. Shiue from following through with this project.
“The toys were from a professional 3D modeler, which as long as you donate to his patreon, he will let you sell the 3D prints,” Mr. Shiue said. “If I had to design something similar, it would probably take forever as I have no time as a teacher. To print these toys, each one takes about an hour due to the intricate design of the crochet pattern.”
”It was successful in meeting the minimum amount of money for the fundraiser,” Mr. Shiue said. “It brought a lot of joy and emotional support for some of the students and to teachers and parents as well. Overall, I believe the success lies in the enjoyment from the people who bought the toys.”
Not only does Mr. Shiue have an original approach to fundraising, his teaching style if also very unique in the classroom.
“His class is humorous while being one of the most difficult classes in school,” junior Derek Wang said. “Really nice teacher who jokes around but serious at the subject.”
In addition to teaching engineering, Mr. Shiue has earned degrees with computer science and mathematic backgrounds.
“It was a wonderful opportunity offered to me,” Mr. Shiue said. “We are lucky to have an engineering program at Francis Lewis High School where students can explore, experience and even test out their interest in a field they would only normally have the opportunity to in college.”
Students in his class enjoy the freedom they have to learn from their classmates, in addition to the support he gives as well.
“He gives out a lot of practice problems and visualizations on the different types of questions that would be on the test and goes over it. It is really helpful,” Wang said.
“He really lets us engage with other students so we could learn from one another,” junior Jeain Kim said.
Mr. Shiue had several different employment experiences before becoming a teacher at Francis Lewis and through these experiences he learned a valuable lesson.
“I was a McDonald’s worker, a bubble tea maker, a security officer, a police dispatcher and then a teacher,” Mr. Shiue said. “Life is difficult, you can explore all the options, but you should eventually stick to something.”
