School Holiday Challenge: Earrings 2026 Edition

 

Challenge: For students to use their iPad, Tinkercad (app or web browser) and a 3D Printer to produce an original pair of earrings.

Background: Due to the nature of the design, the simplicity that it is possible to complete the task with and also the printing time - this has evolved into a standard creation, production and printing task for the students.

As the term was coming to the end we used this as a challenge where we spoke to the students - we also wanted to make it clear to the students that if they continue to design, create and make in the School Holidays here in New Zealand we will be able to print their designs during the break so they will be ready for their collection after the break.

In this instance having being regularly posting on this site for many years this is one of the tasks that we have a wealth of examples from - from one off basic designs to students who have created entire micro-businesses with the concept and used it for previous school Market Days.   You can view the links to all of these posts on this blog or use the search bar top right and use the term 'earrings' to see pages and pages of potential examples.   You can click on this link to the 2023 project which started as a design task  and then evolved into this 2023 Market Day business.

We also had students switch to the laser cutter in 2024 or you can view the Pac-Man super slim examples from 2021 by clicking on this link here.  This summary slideshow created in 2025 contains all of the steps from start to finish in the process - aimed very much at a teacher carrying this out as an activity with an entire classroom.

Size: As shown from the design plate on Tinkercad is 80mm long and 30mm wide the print are also 10mm wide.

Cost/Price: Using the Bambu Lab studio software we are able to determine that to print both of the pair would take 14g and has a price point of $0.33.

Timeframe: To print both of these it took twenty three minutes to complete using the Bambu H2D.  This task would be ideal to print using a slower printer or a printer that was not able to create the detail that more complicated prints require.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the student: This is a very basic introductory task that the students in the classroom could complete easily and we have had student complete some basic designs after being shown the app and how to create basic designs.   This task also leads to more complicated designs from the students.    This is designed for the students to be successful in a short space of time.

We have a slideshow as described - on our Facebook Page we have included a copy of the slideshow as a downloadable slideshow in powerpoint format.  You can click on the link to that here.

Cyclops Challenge Revisited 2026

Challenge: To create something based around the eyes from a regular craft set.

Background: Regular visitors to this blog will recognise this challenge from last year it was one based around the use of a prop or third part challenge and the goal for the students was to incorporate the item into the 3D Design.   We have previously proved successful in doing so with pencil sharpeners (which you can see via this previous post here or inputing this into the search box top right hand corner)

This challenge focussed on the craft eyes shown left.  They were purchased from a local chain store from the craft section for $5.00.  Each of the eyes has an adhesive sticker on the back of it to fix it into place onto paper or cardboard as we are ultimately mounting it on plastic PLA which would mean that we would be gluing it in place with some form of strong adhesive.   As we have mentioned in the past we have a range of previous prints from this site collected over the years for the students to use as an inspiration point for students- one of the featured prints is the series of 'cyclops' prints from last year,

Last years design came in a range of designs with the inspiration for this year being the design shown left (which is printed in pink glow-in-the-dark filament).

To ensure that this years designs were original, and not simply a copy of the example shown left students were challenged to create a design that featured multiple eyes - with a minimum of at least two, however we specified to the students that they needed to ensure that they were not 'traditional' that is they were not placed adjacent to each other like we would expect to see in a regular face.

We started by having the students sketch a 'monster' figure and designing it on regular paper.  We then had the students exchange plans with each other and have students use Tinkercad to create the digital image object of the other students idea.  Once they had their creation checked they were then encouraged to add depth and details to their original design.

This design (shown left) cane out of the process.  Of note is the detail that the student was able to create into the design - the hair in particular was something that was possible with the detail provided by a regular nozzle on the Bambu H2D.    The student opted to meet the brief provided with the eyes by producing two slots one at the top on the top tier of the 'snowman' design.   

To further provide a point of interest this print was printed in green glow-in-the-dark as we have been using some material left over from last years Market Day.

The biggest challenge for this task for the students is allowing for specific measurements for a range of 'eyes' for the print to work in conjunction with.  They provide a striking contrast to the print filament itself but to ensure that it works effectively they cannot really be glued in place without any kind of insert or opening for the eye.

This monster will be featured in an additional post on this blog.

3D Printed 'Rare' Panda - With Storage

 

Challenge: For an eight year old student to push their design skills to create an original version of a Minecraft creation that has a recognition factor and also a purpose beyond being a 'novelty print'.  

Background: Without wishing to sound repetitious there are a series of posts from this site over the last few days and weeks relating to the use of the students iPasds, Tinkercad (the browser) or the Tinkercad App for the students to be involved in CAD design to create their own versions of these creatures from the game Minecraft.   

A reminder that as a visitor to this blog you can use the search bar top right to use the keyword ''Minecraft' to view several years of examples from the students from our school.   One of the more challenging examples from this series was the 'rate panda' shown left.  In this example students spent a considerable time to gain the recognition factor by correctly reimagining the facials in particular of this animal.  In the Tinkercad version the students were very aware of the colour matching required.

Level of Difficulty: Medium/Hard - this animal was one of several panda chosen by the students and in particular this version requires subtle differences from the regular one.   Two different students were involved in the production of this piece working collaboratively with each other (as you can do when working in Tinkercad).   A third student who had expertise was also called in to help with the facial details.

Size: As again this is something of a one one the print has quite significant dimensions.  The print is 130mm high, 100mm long and 70mm wide.  The legs are each 10mm by 10mm and 40mm high.   The base of the Panda is 90mm by 70mm by 40mm.   For storage there are various holes in the back of the Panda.  Most of these measure 20mm by 10mm and are between 15mm and 40mm deep.   The largest hole is the one tha tis at the rear of the design which runs the length of the body of the Panda.

Cost/Price: We have been quite clear that some of the designs in this run have been deliberately oversized.   This has meant that they are not necessarily intended to be a class set or a copy for each student.   This print used 144g of PLA to print (including rafting) this had a price point of $3.60.

Timeframe: Using the Bambu H2D this print took five hours and ten minutes to complete on the regular settings.  We would have been reluctant to produce this on a slower machine or a machine not capable of subtle details (such as the lettering on the back of the design to label each of the stationary area).

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: The obviously next step is the colour matching for the print by spray painting it, white and then highlighting it to follow the colour matching.  The areas of storage on the back of the design could have been enlarged to store more meaningful material as while they allow one item each it could potentially hold more.  The labelling of the different boxes could have been refined better and perhaps organised slightly differently.  Finally the general shape of the panda is here but could be further refined by the students.

3D Printed Panda - Minecraft

 

Challenge: To produce a 3D Printed Panda inspired by the Minecraft game using TInkercad as the interface and design tool along with the students iPad and the Tinkercad App.

Background: As previously noted in a series of posts on this blog there has been a recent Minecraft theme for the students to build utilising the use of Tinkercad.

In this design the student focussed on the Minecraft Panda.   Students had completed this design last year and one of students from cohort two who was present wanted to complete a different version of this design.   The thinking behind the design was that the colour of black and white would be easily created using the colour palette which would greatly increase the recognition factor of the design.   

Level of Difficulty: Medium.   This design was somewhat complicated and the student spent considerable time crafting the facial features, the student could have potentially spent more time working on the legs of the creature particularly when they are seem in profile.

Size:   One of the positives of the design was that 80mm high and 20mm wide and 40mm deep.   The legs extend slightly longer than this.   The storage hole for the design, in the head was 40mm deep which will be addressed in additional revisions.

Cost/Price: Using 25g of PLA for this print the print had a price point of $0.63 this made producing the print relatively easy.

Timeframe: The print was completed on the Bambu H2D.   This had a print time of 59 minutes.    It does to be noted that this machine is considered a 'high speed' printer and this affects in a positive way the print time for any projects completed.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students:

The storage for the unit here is relatively small - it is able to hold a single whiteboard marker, pencil or pen and therefore it needs to be quite selective.   Upscaling the design to increase the storage would have a subsequent affect on the print time, cost and the use of PLA.  The student spent some time trying to work on the post for the Panda and in particular the legs as shown in the photo in profile.   The student could have look at some different techniques or poses to address this.   We have looked at options for spray painting to colour match the print or have looked into using the Versa Sign Maker to complete the project or activity.

This is the student created seesaw example - shown here with the original screenshot (on the right) and their Tinkercad created image on the right hand side.

In the example the student can shown the digital creation verses the original which they used for their format and creation.

The student used Seesaw to create this post.

Thank you for your visit.

 

This page is being run out of a wonderful rural school from South Taranaki, New Zealand.   While we are very fortunate to be an ADS School with some wonderful resources this is each year the ideas and creations from a fantasist group of students that we like to share and showcase.

Recently we have been expanding our digital footprint by increasing our scope.   While we don't necessarily complete our work for the benefit of page numbers and view etc it is noticeable that we have achieved in the month just ended the best thirty day period for a blog that has been running since 2015.  

The photo above is a view from our school field - while we are a rural school we have core values based around innovation and engaging with technology for our learners.

Our students have just completed the first term of four here in New Zealand and are currently on a two week term break we will return Monday 20th April.  

In the meantime you are always welcome to email the teacher running the site at myles.webb@gmail.com. You can also view our 'Facebook' page for this site by visiting it here.

3D Printed Super Sized Minecraft Cow

 

Challenge: For eight year old students to produce a unique, original Minecraft themed print using Tinkercad as the design tool.  Criteria: Print must be original and also have a purpose.

Background: Much like last weeks Axolotl which had been completed and organised for storage, this Minecraft cow originally featured as a AR/VR post on this blog which you can view by clicking on the link here. 

The print was deliberately designed to be oversized and we were interested in pushing the limits of the Bambu H2D, as shown in the dimensions below.

The link between Minecraft and Tinkercad has been documented numerous times by the students at our school as the blocks of Minecraft can be replicated directly or indirectly via Tinkercad.   You can view examples of this by clicking on the link here.

Level of Difficulty: Medium/High - this was not for the feint hearted and involved two students one from cohort one and one from cohort two producing a joint effort to complete this print.  Given the scale of the print we would not be producing it unless we were happy that it ticked off a number of criteria.

Size: This was one of the largest prints that we had completed in some time.  The print had a height of 170mm and was 180mm long.   The main body of the cow was 90mm across, 130mm wide and 60mm high.  Each of the four legs are 40mm by 40mm and 120mm high.

Cost/Price: The print used 382g of filament to produce, including the rafting or waste plastic.  This had a price point in its current format of $9.55 to produce.   With this in mind this is the biggest in the series, by some distance of the prints that we are intending to turn from AR/VR designs into physical projects and prints.  With PLA being generally ordered in 1kg spools obviously three of these would be required for each roll.

Timeframe: Nine and a half hours.   As we stated this is one of the longest prints that we have produced in the classroom this year.   A reminder that as we are using the Bambu H2D the speed of machine is roughly twice as quick as that of a regular Snapmaker, hence our reluctance to undertake to print this sort of project on that machine.   As we have stated during the year it is our intention to complete every print this calendar year from a single machine.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: It should be evident from the dimensions of this print and the details of it that we are not intending to complete something of this scale to any great level based on the cost and the amount of filament used.   The students could have increased the size of the storage area on the back of the cow and ideally perhaps added some small details to the design.  They are intended to have adults spray paint the print to complete the colour matching for the design.

3D Printed Miniature Pot

Challenge: To produce a unique and individualised accurate pot plant holder.

Background: We have recently started having regular enviro group meetings here at our school.  One of the tasks that the students who are involved in the project have been given is to use a variety of seeds to grow some basic vegetables and herbs.  

These were supplied to students in compostable seedling pots that required watering.  When water the pots themselves tended to become wet, maintained the moisture and lost their shape etc.

One of the students who is in the classroom recognised the potential to address this by using the 3D Printer to create a base in which either the entire place could be grown or the compostable hessian like container could be placed and any soil or water leaking from the seedling could be contained.   The student who is eight years old was able to use their knowledge of Tinkercad and the designs that had been created this year to complete this in their own time easily and without the teacher providing any input.

The student made the decision as the Enviro group was the focus for the group that this was the labelled that was placed on the front of the design.  This was created as the prototype design to see if this was a viable creation and would in conjunction with the potential to seed raise.

Level of Difficulty: Low - this is a modification of some of the basic tasks that the students are typically able to produce after a few sessions learning to use Tinkercad in a practical way.

Size: The design measured 70mm across at the front was 100mm long and 5mm deep at the base.  The tower part of the design was 45mm high from the base of the plate.  The tower had a diameter of 60mm which allowed one of the compostable containers to sit in the design, If the intention was to replant the seeds then this would need to be increased or the seeds tipped out.

Cost/Price: Using the Bambu Studio Labs software to determine the price point and the cost of the design we can determine that the print used 41g of filament to complete at a cost of $1.01.   

Timeframe: One hour to complete using the Bambu H2D - a reminder that this machine is essentially twice as fast as the previous machines that we were using (Snapmaker) and as such we would expect the time to be considerably more if another machine was used.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: With the example shown while the student has solved a problem there are some refining issues that could be completed.   The obvious one was the addition of the students name, perhaps on the reverse of the design or by the Enviro label so that the owner of the container would be obvious.   The size of the contained could be increase slightly so that the compostable container sits clearly within it.   Finally the tower part of the design does not have any drainage holes inside it.  While if used to house another container it would not be a significant amount of moisture if this was to be a more permanent growing location then something would be required.