I came across this idea from an Italian hackspace,
http://7hillsmake.org/2012/03/22/hello-world-of-making-project/
It's a basic introductory project, that as a side-effect of building
it, means you have to learn how to use the 3d-printer, the pcb etching
tank, the laser-cutter, and the soldering station.
What could we come up with as a project that would give similar
introductions to the tools we've got?