The original programming for the DaVinci / Techno CNC to make Co2 hollow cars to advanced for my 6th - 8th grade classes. Anyone out there know of simpler software than having an 11 year old learn MasterCam.
As the inventor of this system, I can possibly help by making a few suggestions
1) Part of the original curriculum included a cookbook style method of designing the car
2) If you have Mastercam, then you could install a previous version (Mill 6) which is much easier to use than the latest version(s)
3) By having students work in groups of 2 and with the handout cookbook, I have seen 11 year olds get though it without any problems.
4) As a teacher, you need to go through it yourself, and you will be able to quickly see where students have made mistakes.