Working with a 3D-printer forms a challenge to give children insight in the different stages of designing.
Introduction
Getting acquainted with 3D thinking and learning, a module for pupils age 4 – 16 years old.
In this module we have tried to combine the different stages in the development through early childhood. Working with a 3D-printer forms a challenge to give children insight in the different stages of designing. The pupils are guided through several learning phases:
What is possible, what is asked for, what can we accomplish if we think/work/brainstorm together, how to set up a design and the final print.
We want to learn them a lot, but we have to be aware of the fact that we – as adults – have been thinking 2D all our lives. So it is important to give our pupils as much freedom as possible, not limit them in any way, so they can show us what a 3D printer can do and how it might change the world as we know it.
The main objective is that the pupils learn how to work with a 3D-printer in a playful way. “Learning by doing” results in instantly motivated pupils, thinking and working in 3D.
The pupils keep track of the process and the product in a digital portfolio.
The module starts with a work planner and subsequently every task is explained.
By using the planner, the pupils go through different steps of learning how to work with a 3D-printer. Step by step the pupils get to their final design. Each lesson is checked off by the pupil, as well as the teacher. The work planner is set up in a way to leave room for experimentation.
Project group 3D printing Comenius Vlieland
Lesson 1: From 2D thinking to 3D printing
In this first lesson(s) the following subjects will be dealt with:
1. Make a report of every lesson (see the end of this explanation)
2. Use a computer to find answers to the following questions:
- What is sustainability
- What is plastic soup
- What is 3D thinking?
- History
- How did it start?
- What is a 3D printer?
- Design software
- Print software
- Types of printers
- Sign in to various open source software programmes. Create an account in Google Scratch and Tinkercad. In case you find other 3D software, check with your teacher.From 2D thinking to 3D thinking; how do you do that?
3. A 2D drawing, what is it?
A square has two dimensions: length and width
Simply put, it is this:
Two dimensional or 2D means that something has two geometrical dimensions, just length and width. Examples are a square, a circle or an illustration, such as a picture. Although a picture is two dimensional, it can suggest depth and seem three dimensional.
Two dimensional might be regarded as synonym for flat, but there is a difference. In nature, slightly irregular terrain is still regarded flat. 3D is mostly used to indicate that something is seen spatially: 3D pictures, film or graphics.
In computer gaming we find the term 3D a lot and here it means that perspective images are used.
Overview of dimensions in geometry:
Task 1: Sign in to various open source software programmes. Create an account in Tinkercad. In case you find other 3D software, check with your teacher.
- What do you know of a theatre? Write down a number of key words.
- You have already learned about views. Draw a theatre from 3 different views.
Front, Left and Top. - Take an object from your theatre and sketch it.
Now that you have decided what you are going to make, you can start with the software in the next lesson.
Lesson 2 What’s your story and?
Why is your design so interesting to spread the word. Is your design a sustainable design Do you want to use it as an example to tell the people about sustainability and the plastic soup?
- Learn to tell your story about, 3D-pinting, sustainability, the plastic soup and designing
- What’s your story, make story-line/ storyboard.
- Create your object in an open source programme.
- Learn how to work with a software programme.
Lesson 3 Learning to design
In this lesson we get started with designing your own sustainable design.
In the past lesson you have find out what is sustainabilaty and the plastic soup and find out how to recycle plastic.
First you start with trying to work on one of the software programs.
Don’t forget that your design is uniek.
Lesson 4 3D Printing
What do I have to do before I can start printing; what do I need?
How does the print software work? Can I still change things, once I started working in Cura?
You will be able to answer all these question at the end of this lesson.
Lesson 5 Presenting your 3D print
Presenting your own design is the best thing! You tell us about how you experienced the things you have done, so you can’t go wrong! You yourself are responsible for this great learning process.
Evaluation of this module:
Discuss in small groups with the teacher what you think of this module.
Mention three things you liked and three that need improvement (Tops and Tips).