3D Print School: Y3/4 Bookmarks

One of the challenges for 3D Printing is allowing younger students sometimes access to and use of the machines.   Our School has targeted this group of students with a Junior STEM program, with the intention of giving the students access to 3D Printing in the Classroom.  The initial design for this project, created by the School Principal, Heath Chittenden, was students creating a book mark suitable for reading.   Students were given a Tinkercad logon which they used to refine their design on the basis of circles - they picked up the process quickly.  Extension for the students came from a student who created a ring.

Learning Challenge: To design and create a 3D Printed Bookmark suitable for use with a book.  Students to use a basic design (featuring the circles) and then added their individual touches.
Background: Using the 3D Printers with students in the Junior School.  Junior School in New Zealand equates to students between the ages of 5 and 9 years old, although this class were 8 and 9 year old children.  Lessons took place for an hour once a week.
Task: Students had to design, manufacture and make a working bookmark.
Level of Difficulty: Low - a template was used for the basic design for the students.

Issues: student originally had some feet an antenna that while they added some detail to the creature tended to be flimsy and easily broke off or had to be removed after the final print.  As an added detail the filament used to print the bookmarks was glow-in-the-dark filament.
Timeframe: 3-4 hours on basic print settings.
Size: As seen from the shot 20cm in length and a depth of two to three centimetres

Process: Template designed in Tinkercad, shared with students.  Students then edited the design, and added additional features.   Converted to Cura and printed on the Schools Ultimaker 2 3D Printer.