Often we find that common objects can be made into things of beauty with a few basic design elements and quality manufacturing processes. STEM education can then evolve to STEAM as students inject art into their work using engineering design tools and modern manufacturing techniques to create a unique piece that is both functionally and aesthetically pleasing. The common tape dispenser is found in every classroom and is not something we often think about. But by analyzing its purpose and making a few improvements you can turn a CNC machining project into a functional piece of art.This tape dispenser is an excellent example of such a project. It looks robust, yet it has fine features that are manufactured to close tolerances. It is functional but its has a level of detail and finish that makes it look like a sculpted art form. The smoothness of the metal with a distinct lack of rough edges make one want to pick it up and feel its heft. All these sensations are found here, in a tape dispenser. From the photos you can see that there are a few fairly simple machining operations that were used to create this project. With careful attention to design for manufacturing, these sorts of projects can be made with as few machining steps as possible. We can and should challenge our STEAM students to bring design and shop skills, art and science problem solving techniques to build a culminating project like this into the curriculum. It may be a tape dispenser today, or a rocket engine nozzle tomorrow, either way your students exit the classroom with high level skills that are in high demand and will give them options few others have.