Step Master 2023 Livestream Information and Feed

Link to our 2023 Step Master Livestream!

Step Master 2023 - Livestream Details

Each year our students have a Virtual Pinball Competition which is built around virtual pinball tables which have been manufactured by our students.   This year we are using another piece of our schools technology, which was created and worked on by our students - our Step Master Dance Machine.

This link here documents the students creation of the machine.

This has been previously built by students to mimic a full sized dance/step machine.   The videos that play with this machine were created by students, who created the music video and the music to go with each of the songs - examples of which you can see by clicking on the link here.

The dance pad in front of the machine has two spaces for two players to compete against each other and four key pressure pads for the students to strike in time to the music - gaining themselves points in the process.  Tomorrow we have a LIVE YOUTUBE BROADCAST of the competition with our students competing against each other on the Dance Machine.

You can click on the link here to see the announcement for the player for the 2023 competition.

You can click on this link to watch the Livestream of the competition tomorrow

Laser Cut Market Day Projects

This was another project from our 2023 School Market Day.  In this example students combined their interest and enjoyment of Basketball and the NBA and designed items that were small enough to work in conjunction with Croc Shoes - jibbitz.  

These items were produced easily on the laser cutter and didn't take more than a few minutes to produce which the students were able to use by using the GIMP. The students created an NBA style jersey and then put a number associated with a particular popular player from that team.

We also had a another group of our senior students who used the industrial laser cutter to take a series of images and pictures and engrave them onto MDF as display pieces.   Some of these have local importance or significance to the students.

Once cut on the laser cutter the students then needed to wipe down the prints and prepare them for sale.  They opted to sell these as shown, without packaging or presenting them further.

School Market Day 2023 - Official Video

 

We have an amazing person at our school who produces fantastic media related to the school and our events. This is the official video for our School Market Day 2023 which shows a range of the products that our students made.

Using the Vinyl Printer/Sticker Machine: School Market Day 2023

We have addressed the fact that our school has a number of significant items that we are able to use for our students and school events.

Two of these items were used significantly for our 2023 School Market Day, being the HP Latex 335 Printer and the Versa Studio Sign maker Machine.

The larger vinyl prints were made on the HP an example is shown left where the students documented the innovation process and took photographs at each stage of their learning.  They were able to print this poster off and display their learning as part of the market day experience.  This helped shared the learning and creative process with members of the community who came to view the market day.   These prints were extremely large.

The Versa machine was able to produce much smaller prints in a vinyl sticker format that the students used for the packaging of their products.  When combined with the Laser Cutter designing MDF cuts to back the work onto it produced a ready made stand for the display of the work.

The students were able to independently produce the prints using Pic Collage and then convert them for printing using their individual iPads.

Each of the students from the classroom was able to create a unique presentation (as shown left) another bonus was that as it was vinyl the dye used to stain the MDF could be applied after the sticker had been put in place.  This just required the sticker to be wiped down if any dye had moved onto the design.

Another use of the HP Printer was to work in conjunction with some of the Gala games that were run by out senior students at school.   These traditional games had an ideal opportunity to use technology to aide in their creation and advertising and explain the rules of the games.    We had previously contacted some local real estate agents to ask for signs that they did not use and also had sourced some corrugated cardboard for the purpose.  This turned out to be extremely important as it allowed us to have signs that could survive if the weather was slightly inclement - which is was on the night.

It also meant the signs were robust enough to survive some significant wind gusts (which again occurred on the night).   This allowed us to display the events and provide some eye catching graphics.

We were also able to produce the material for specific games that was more durable than would have been possible otherwise.   An example is the golf map shown with this photograph.   This was the target for a game involving throwing ping pong balls at each of the holes with a small prize for being successful.  As it was printed on vinyl it allowed the game to be played numerous times without concern that the game board would be damaged by the competition.

The HP Latex Printer allowed us to print the game board as a single sheet - although it had significant dimensions.

3D Printed Christmas Decorations - 2023

 Each year as a final project for the students we like to engage them by looking at designing Christmas Themed Ornaments that can be created and hung from a tree.   This is a common subject that the students can relate to, have experience with practical examples and it allows some customisation and individualisation of gifts and prints.     Again we have a sequence in place - using the main Tinkercad interface to look at design creation.

The size of the design varies - when we give the classroom of Y3/4 students a free design opportunity they tend to use the scribble command or the basic shapes that are from the main interface.   We print the first few runs of designs and then allow the students to look at their creations and refine, design and modify.

Students who have shown an aptitude or design class in the past we tend to push to come up with more complex designs.

In this instance shown left the print measures 50mm across and is 70mm high.  It is 5mm thick - the student has attempted a 'snowman' type design (interesting fact in our part of New Zealand it does not snow in Winter - we have Christmas at in summertime).

The student will refine and improve this design moving forward and we look to challenge her to increase the degree of difficulty.  The print took just over an hour to print on the default settings (including an infill inside the print of 15%).    We have been asked recently for the .stl files to be available for various prints - as we have stated in the past on this blog these files are the individual creations of the students from our school.    They are intended as ideas for educators and students to create their own individual 3D Printed designs.   If you have a particular interest in a file you can potentially email the teacher (myles.webb@gmail.com) and I can make it available,

Finally as this blog has been running now for nearly ten years (!) we have a large amount of material available from previous years Christmas themed prints.   You can search the entire blog using the search function on the left or look at the links below which reflect some particular work from previous years:

• Our 2022 Summary of past years and details about a variety of prints.
• In 2018 we complete prints in two classrooms for each student some 60 in total some of the details and a selection of the prints are featured here.
• In 2016 we used Glow-In-The-Dark filament for something different and effective
• in 2016 we created specific present labels for individuals presents.
• In 2018 we saw some of our most creative Christmas Prints when a student spent a considerable time locating, designing and refining a Christmas Sleigh using Tinkercads main interface.

School Market Day 2023 - Laser Cut Projects

 

Our 2023 School Market Day was held on Friday evening where our school had a Gala Night and in addition to this our students were running businesses with the theme of 'innovation' and the expectation that our students were using some of the technology that is available to our students in a creative way.

We have detailed a number of these projects and groups on this blog from our own classroom (in the junior school with students who are seven and eight years old).  Our school of two hundred students includes students who are Year Seven and Year Eight, who are up to twelve and thirteen years old.   An example is the group shown left.   They developed a series of boxes that were based around the use of the school laser cutter (we have an industrial sized one in a room at the back of the school).   The boxes shown in the photo were all produced by the students and the large sign at the front detailed the production process - this in itself was printed on our vinyl poster machine - A1 size.

Our junior students - who are five and six years old while too young to use the laser cutter independently used it to create the dream catchers shown left.  The laser cutter cut out the shapes for the bases and the students then individually decorated them by painting them and applying a range of materials to the dream catcher to aide their presentation.

The production process was shown in the photographs of the students making the designs and the finished product so that parents could see the creations.  We also applied sold stickers in order to allow the display to remain intact for the community to view the dream catchers rather then have them removed when they were sold.

Our senior students were able to use their DPE projects as a potential business.   Our students once a week complete their own Technology Classes as part of this program there is a DPE (Design Production Engineering) in this series of workshops students build their own speakers, as featured on this blog.  This group shown left designed boxes as shown but further developed their businesses by producing inserts (shelves and storage) on the inside for the boxes.  The two sizes shown cost the public eight dollars (for the smaller one on the left) and twelve dollars for the one on the right.   This wood used was a MDF composite which was used with the laser cutter cutting on the design and the different pieces and the students were responsible for assembling all of the parts and putting it together.   Further details about this product including the instructions will be posted later on this blog.

We had several groups of students have aspects of their business involved the production of coasters.  We have previously shown examples on this blog about one of the groups, a group of middle school students (Y5/6) who had a particular interest in NBA Basketball teams and logos created a themed series of coasters relating to popular teams.   They were able to have discussions about the Logo and using the insignia of a playing team and what they could and couldn't do related to then selling them.   They were able to work with a group of senior mentors who helped them using GIMP to complete the creation process.

We also used the laser cutter to develop a series of Gala Games that the student could be involved in running.  We used the laser cutter to precision cut the designs for the games such as Cornhole shown left.   The tables for this were laser cut which allowed there to be variation of the size of the hole (the junior one in addition to allowing the students to throw from a closer distance also had a larger target area.

Finally we used our Vinyl Printer to produce A1 sized posters with the rules and details of the games and activities.   Creating them on this machine meant that they were waterproof and could be displayed easily to not only show the students learning process but also display in this case the rules of the game.  We are going to feature this project in a seperate post on this blog.

We have a considerable amount of material related to this major school event and we will start the process of posting the activities and the creations during the remainder of the school year.

Student Market Day - Laser Cut Tiles and Packaging

We have detailed on this blog in the past that the students at our school have the use of and access to a free standing Laser Cutter (an example of our school one is shown on the link here).   We have used this for a variety of projects such as coasters, or laser cut boxes for our school, and in particular this year for our School Market Day.

Another project that has been completed by our students is using the Laser Cutter to engrave on tiles - an example is shown left with the Piwakawaka shown left.   While the students did not create the image this in theory would be possible.  

We have a group of senior students using their use of the Laser Cutter to create MDF/Bamboo backing for the 3D Prints that the students from our junior classroom have created.   These prints (a mixture of original prints and online located and sourced) have then had the students use the Roland Versa Sign Maker to create
 a unique and creative sticker for this business.

You can see the full evolution of the packaging shown here on the left in a variety of designs from the classroom.

The MDF has been cut to a general size to suit the designs - the students have then used Pic collage and Brand Maker to create a logo themed for their business.   The Roland Versa Sign Maker has then printed the stickers which have been attached.   The MDP (which is 130mm wide) has then been decorated with dye as shown.

As always we feel compelled to mention that this is a junior class of students completing this work.  The students in New Zealand are Y3/4 which places their age as 8 and 9 year old students - many using technology that is mentioned with either support from senior students (who are Year 7 and Year 8) or using technology independently for the first time. 

One of the aspects of the students learning that we want to share is the process that the students have been through.  We have shown examples of the students completing this as we prepare for Market Day.

We have taken examples and printed these on another of our school resources our large HP Vinyl Printer.   These are then being mounted on corrugated cardboard and being put on display with the students work.   This will allow members of the public to view the entire process.

 

Roland Versa Studio Sign Maker BN-20

 

This is another example of how we are using another significant piece of school technology, in this case it is the Roland Versa Studio Sign Maker.

The business that is relatively advanced in our Y3/4 class has been the 'Fancy Dogs' articulated toy dogs and one of the challenges has been to keep this student challenged to make additional parts of her business going since she completed the 3D Print part of the business some time ago.

In this instance the student used Pic Collage, which is one of key creation apps at school on her iPad in conjunction with Brand Crowd to produce her logo.  It was then converted into printing on the printer.   It has produced a range of adhesive labels that are commercial grade which the student is then using to fix directly to the MDF which she is then using to display her product.  This produces a nice finish and enhances the overall product.

Once this had been successfully completed a number of the other students followed this lead - again they were taking a design which they had created and using the technology present in the school to enhance its viability and presentation.

We have also the ability to produce these on a smaller scale for niche businesses or organisations that might potentially not be able to justify or afford a larger scale run.

This is shown in the example on the bottom left where a student whose parents have connections to a local club sourced the logo and created a sticker specifically for that group.

3D Printed Amazon River Dolphin Animal and Project

Challenge: Focus on a unique animal for Market Day to extend a student who has shown creativity and innovation.  

Background: As mentioned with the previous posts that are forming the majority of the present content we have a major school event next week - our School Market Day.

In the current classroom for Y3/4 we have a number of students who need some extension and one of the students has interests across a range of topics.   One aspect where the 3D Printing has proven to be really positive is in allowing it to create an animal that can be highlighted and featured that perhaps is not shown a huge amount of coverage or details for a variety of reasons.   The student in question wanted to highlight an Amazonian River Dolphin which is a creature that he has an interest in.   

The student spent a considerable amount of time further researching the animal and getting the dimensions right.  He opted for a cartoon approach to highlight some of the features of the animal as opposed to having dimensions that were correct (an example is the teeth that are prominent on the bill).

The student looked at ways to extend himself further by adding some additional sources of creativity to his work.

He used logos created by external sites like Brand Crowd and Logo Maker.   He created his own QR Code by using QRstuff.com and finally as he's been producing impressive and creative work using Pixton he was able to produce a comic based around the creature with additional information 

Level of Difficulty: Low - we wanted to allow an easy completion of the design, hence allowing the student to use 'scribble' to get the point of the animal across, however there were many elements that were working in conjunction with the design as mentioned above.   While this didn't add to the difficulty as such it meant that there was additional work for the student to extend themselves.

Size: 130mm long, 80mm high and 10mm thick or wide.   The purpose of the print at this stage is to act as a bag tag or a keyring so this would be the recommended dimensions for this kind of print.

Timeframe: Three and a half hours on standard (15% infill) print using our favourite Snapmaker Printer.   There is potential for variation of printing for this design and idea and it is expected to be adjusted accordingly.

What we would do differently/next steps for students: We have an obvious next step here, turning what is a static print into a connected print with a ball and socket joint to create a flexi-animal. We have students who are Y3 and Y4 however these have unpacked this learning over the course of the year and are well versed at creating these prints.   The student has decided in the short term to focus on the Market Day as it is next week - and wants to develop these prints further after this point.

Combining Laser Cutter and 3D Printer: Earrings

Challenge: How to develop 3D Printed Earrings further to include further use of technology.

Background:   As detailed earlier on this blog, one of the students initially designed a key ring, featuring a cow.  Following a brain storming session the student decided to modify and resize the design creating instead of a larger key chain instead a pair of earrings (which significantly reduced the print time).  

Once the student had completed this and checked and rechecked her design she then focussed on creating additional animals (an early prototype is the dogs shown left) and looked at different hoop sizes that would allow some variation.    

We next challenged her to look at ways that she might be able to present the earrings at the School Market Day.    One of the ways the we investigated was looking at using another part of the technology at our school to produce a stand.    We have a large scale AEON Laser Cutter in a technology room at school.

This laser cutter has been used for various project including the producing a earrings stand.  The stand is cut from MDF and measures 170mm at the base, is 400mm high and has stands that come out from the main base that are 80mm in length.   

The students are able to print this in three seperate pieces, in MDF which then can be slotted together to form the stand.  The stand can then be spray painted to complete its presentation.

This allows the student to focus on the manufacturing of the earrings for the stand to complete the business.  As stated on the blog these have the advantage of taking a relatively small amount of time to print, around twenty minutes, and these can be produced extremely cheaply (approximately twenty cents worth of PLA).

This has allowed the student concerned to price the earrings accordingly at $2.00 a pair, meaning that the units are making a profit of just over $1.25 per pair.   As we have stated on this blog previously the focus of this event is innovation - the idea is for the students to use the technology to produce something unique and original and market it to the community, the intention is not to maximise profit for the items which are being offered to the community for sale.

Customised Toy Chair - Barbie Doll

Challenge: For students to make customised furniture for Barbie Dolls for students to use in the junior classroom.

Challenge: This was an idea to get students thinking about making something to scale that had a specific purpose.   In our junior school our students have specific play time and creative play.   With some of these activities there are play elements - and one of the junior teachers wanted additional furniture that could be made by our students.

The challenge was simple - to make a series of chairs and a table that could work in conjunction with a regular set of Barbie toys.    This was the prototype design was made first by students attempting to solve the brief.  The first print was designed to take twenty minutes to print, based on the teachers experience there was no way that this was going to be able to create the design, however the print went ahead as we wanted to see the results.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the basic design was a standard chair with four equal feet and a basic back. 

Size: This design measured 20mm long (high) was 15mm wide and 15mm deep.   These designs were discussed prior to the printing, however it was apparent early on that the dimensions would not suit the purpose relating to a Barbie Doll and furniture.

Timeframe: This print came in at twenty minutes.   As a consequence of this it was easily identified as being not suitable for its initial purpose, however one of the students was quick to point out that in the classroom there was a second set of dolls which were in the Pollypockets range, and they wanted to try the chair with these dolls.   When this was done, as shown left, the students felt that they had achieved the purpose and the issue was now resizing the chair to work in conjunction with the significantly larger Barbie Dolls.

What we would do differently/next steps for students: The next steps for the students is of course to look at increasing the scale of the design to work in conjunction with the larger dolls.   Once this has been mastered then the next step in the process is to look at what additional items of furniture can be created.   One of the positive aspects of this challenge and task is that the model for the creations can be items in the classroom and ones that the students are familiar with which should significantly help with the modelling process.

General Works in Progress T4 2023

 

We have a number of events coming up as we head towards the end of the 2023 School Year.   The most significant event that will be happening in just under two weeks is our 2023 School Gala and Market Day.   We have a student theme of innovation, where as we have documented on this blog and on its pages the students are created products using technology that is available at our school such as the 3D Printers, the Sticker Machine and the Laser Cutter due to the popularity of the posts we have created a specific sub page from the main menu.

The students who have completed the progress (for example shown left) have then been tasked with providing information which is then QR coded on to the back of the MDF.

This has allowed some students to focus on design and creation and others to work on improving and refining their design.  We have been talking to the students about the price that they wish to sell their items for.

For the designs where the students relied on prints and designs which were available as free downloads we encouraged them to look at creating accessories that would work in conjunction with the exisiting print.

Typically these prints are much smaller and more original than the designs.   In the example shown left the student who is printing the Giraffe Plant Holders created a spade to work in conjunction with it.   The plant holder has space for a small succulent.

The design of the spade took several variations (two of which are shown left) in which the student experimented with basic designs from the main interface.  The spades themselves only took fifteen to twenty minutes to print, and included minimal rafting.

For many of the items that the students are looking at selling there is a range of accessories, storage options and display possibilities.   

One such example is the earrings display cases shown on the left.  While this example is a pre-made and designed for our students we still encourage the use of these as they can provide a starting point to students to think about their ideas and how they might use the technology.

The progression of this can be shown in the examples that have already come from the classroom with juniors year three and year four.

3D Printing and Writing - Explanation of Steps for Market Day

 

These examples of writing are partly to explain the use of the 3D Printers (Snapmakers) with the classroom but also examples of how the students are using 3D Printing to shape their writing.  In these examples the students have been recording the key stages and parts of the process, using their iPads to document and record the steps.   

They have been asked to write a description for each step to illustrate the process and these explanations (when finished and completed) will be printed using the school printer.

These will be printed A2 size and put on display as part of the school market day process showing the innovation process.   They will be printed on corrugated cardboard and put on display.   We are incredibly fortunate to have a wide range of technology available to our students, which is listed on this blog and it is also fantastic to show the community, many of whom directly help with things such as fundraising from our PTA how their technology is used to help our students with projects and innovation.

The students in the classroom that we are working with are based in the junior school.   The classroom students are Y3 and Y4 which means that they are eight and nine years old.  This is not reflected in their creations or designs (which I would rate as highly as the senior students that I have previously taught) but is reflected at times with some of their additional work, in this case the level of the writing which is a work in progress.  

3D Printed Bath Toys

Challenge: To produce a unique Market Day idea or concept to be marketed and sold. 

Background: One of the aspects of the business practise that we are asking the students to consider is how they might be able to market their product and what aspects of its design or functionality are there.

Earlier this year the students in the classroom experimented with some of shapes and objects that were created.  One of the discoveries for this group of students was that the 3D Printed Designs can float in water.  One of the students involved in this wanted to take the idea and look into something that would float in the bath and have interaction with.   The student decided that a design that would have the most appeal to other students would be a shark design.  He was able to locate one and then spent time looking how he could modify or personalise the design.  Sharks were a topic that he was able to locate a lot of information and produce secondary work which is going to be included with the packaging for the animal.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the student has created various versions of the shark himself however he felt that the designs were not satisfactory, hence his reliance on locating a design that he could modify.

Size: The print measured 120mm in length was 30mm across and was 20mm high for the main portions of the print.  This was relevant as something the purchaser would be able to float and interact with in the bath.   It was a size that made handling relatively easy and could of course be modified as required.

Timeframe: Three hours to complete the print.  There was some rafting on the bottom of the print, which reflected in its shape.  The idea for the student is to release several other designs following this shape.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the student: This student is happy with the design and has moved onto the decorating, painting and other aspects of the design - packaging and research into sharks.   The student potentially could refine the design with details but has no intention to do so at this point.

Laser Cut Project Ideas: Market Day Coasters

Challenge: To produce an item that can be sold by students to. the local community as part of our school Market Day 2023.

Background: One of the challenges for the students is balancing originality, design and students taking part in a process where they create something that ticks all the boxes.

These designs were created by a Y7 (11 year old) student who is experienced with the use of the Laser Cutter (this will be featured in detail in a seperate post about the hardware that is available).

The student in this case followed a simple project they identified a series of images or patterns that were online and free available.  As they were targeting several specific interests, such as a football team, the student located the logo of the team and used that.  

They then imported the images into Gimp for the image manipulation and then converted them for laser cutting.

The speed of the laser cutting into MDF meant that the time for each cut including the engraving on the design was 3-4 minutes so the entire sheet of designs shown left took less than half an hour.  

The design are shown as they have been removed from the laser cutter.  To seal them the student has the option of applying a sealant or an undercoat and then potentially spray painting the designs.   The student was able to complete the entire process from design to printing, removing and preparation in an afternoon.   They are then going to bundle these designs into groups for the selling on school Market Day.  The pricing of the designs is up to the student by using MDF for the designs instead of a more expensive wood (such as a bamboo) which is perfectly adequate for the designed purpose.    

Laser Cut Project Ideas: Market Day 2023

Laser Cut Print - Box.    This six sided box was printed as a series of sides which were then assembled and glued.   

A teacher in the senior school provided the box template, and the hinges.  The students were then able to customise the design by adding features.  In this instance the student created a jaw line, nose and the eyes.   The shading on the design was also created by using the Laser Cutter.    The total laser cut time was five minutes twenty to complete.

The purpose of the box is for storage.   This is one of the items that will be sold for our school on Market Day.   There are additional features that have been created for this (laser cut ears, tails etc).  The box measures 80mm by 80mm by 80mm.

This longer version of the box shown left - with a snake design and snake theme, including again a mouth operating as part of the lid mechanism.   The eyes again have been taken out of the design (with the students considering how they might customise the design).   The design is considerably larger than the first box shown - this one measures 300mm long, is 80mm high and 90mm long.  

Ten minutes was required to produce the box which was printed as six individual pieces with tabs which then needed to be glued together.  For this example 2mm of MDF was used (the above box was three times as think).   

Market Day - Packaging Examples

Challenge: To produce packaging to be used in relation to the 3D Prints for School Market Day.

Background: As the students are currently in the process of finishing their final designs for the 3D Printed aspects of their Market Day Projects some of the students who have created and designed their projects already are now focussing on producing the packaging of their projects.   

The mock up of the prints has to include a few compulsory aspects.  One is the print needs to be displayed.  We have a commercial grade laser cutter on site (which will be featured in a post shortly).   As a consequence of this we have a number of 'off cuts' that is prints that haven't worked as intended which are available to the students as scrap.   The students from our class have located a number of these and are using them for the base to hold their designs.    While the MDF is currently an off white we have discussed the students painting the base or using dye to change the colour.

Problem solving with juniors has involved working out ways to secure the prints to the wood.   In the case of use the Roland Sticker Machine it produces an adhesive label that is shiny but also very smooth - the and the prints when sitting on them tend to slide off.  While they can be held in place by ribbon or string this is not fool-proof and tends to require careful management.   One of the potential solutions and one we are using in our classroom is to apply a small amount of blue tack under key parts of the prints, which are not typically visible to the potentially purchaser but make it much more secure to the base.

Prior to using the Roland Sticker Machine the students are experimenting with composition and also looking at practical examples of how the items that they are selling might look.

In the example of the Fennec Fox shown left the student needs to consider that the lettering or design font maybe obscured by the placement of a print on top of the labelling.   In this case the student has used  Brandcrowd to create their design although other students in the classroom have also used logomaker for the same purpose.

The students working on all of these projects are Y3 and Y4 students in New Zealand, so students who are eight and nine working on 3D Printing for the first time in most cases in the classroom.

Again with the rabbit which has previously featured on this blog the student is looking at ways to enhance the presentation - when the object is placed on the MDF and the composition looked at and the student then needs to consider the backing.

One of the other aspects of the print is the QR code designed by the students linking to additional information and work.  For students who have already completed and designed the print this allows them to continue working on the project while other students are looking at completing their designs and testing them.

Roland - Versa Studio Sign Maker BN-20

Project Details: Roland Versa Studio Sign Maker BN-20

How are we using the technology: We are very fortunate at our school to have a variety of technology that is available to our students.  One such piece of technology is the Roland Sign Maker (detailed and linked above).   We have used this machine to produce stickers for our school.   As a result students have to think about how they might use the technology - what is the purpose?

We have posted with significantly about our School Market Day which is coming up later next month.   One aspect of the work that the students are producing is the packaging that goes with their product.   In this instance the sticker machine is being used to produce adhesive stickers which can then be applied to the packaging.

The older students in our school tend to use Mac Books and programs such as GIMP for the photographic design and manipulation.   In the junior school students have used a straight forward program with their iPads such as pic collage which is available from the App store.

In the example shown left the students from this group ordered online from a retail site in New Zealand which sells batched products for lip balm.   They then used the available information to produce the lip balm.

For packaging the students ordered the bags shown in bulk from Ali-Express.    The personalisation of the products came from using the sticker machine to produce individualised business stickers for the product.  As they are adhesive they attached to the plastic tubes and stay in place.

This adds considerably to the presentation of the product and the individuality of the groups work and branding.  We have also used some branding sites in addition to this for students to create individual and unique business logos and designs.

Additional information on this machine and process will be following as will a tab from the main blog page.

3D Prints: Ongoing Classroom Projects Term Four 2023

Accessories for the Fox: While the Fox detailed previously on this blog has been completed and is a completely original print, the student also wanted to look at providing accessories.   This student had viewed some of the ideas from last years market day project accessories and wanted to create something unique to go with the fox.

The students idea was to create something simple that would match with the fox - hence the creation of a plate/bowl to be combined with it.   The student is now moving onto creating packaging to go with the print.

Accessories for the Dragon.   We have also detailed on this blog about a group of students who are focussing on 'Dragon Prints'.   This process started when the students (who are Y3 eight years old) located and tired to buy 3D Printed Dragons online for $60.00.   As noted reverse engineering of the project determined they could be printed relatively easily - however this was not original work (although the students did work on the decorations including for the first time using glitter in combination with spray painting, which as the paint dried then stuck to the print.    The students have experimented with creating additional items to go with the dragons - as shown in the photograph you can see early version of 'swords' and a dragon egg.   Both students are working independently for the first time on creating these projects.

Another student has a particular interest in a specific creature, an Amazon River Dolphin.  The student found some examples of models of these online but wanted to use the scribble design part of the main Tinkercad interface to create something original.   He also wanted to create an accessory - and having researched the animal he saw that crabs are one of the food sources.  As a fan of a particular TV show he then created the crab to represent it.   Finally he used Pixton to create a unique cartoon with information about the animal which is going to be used as a key part of the packaging for the product.  He is intending to refine the design of both to increase the accuracy of the design.

We have a wide range of students in the classroom ranging from experienced designers who are confident, creative and independent designers.

We also have some students who for the first time are experimenting with designs.  Some of these designs are starting as basic shapes - in this instance the horse (shown left) has been located online and the students have modified it by the process of introducing a simple shape into it to convert it from a relatively larger shape into a bag tag shape.  This design is shown in the testing prior to the decoration with the spray painting.    They will do this under supervision.

3D Printed Earrings: Evolving Print

Challenge: To produce a market day item for sale unique and innovative.

Background: This print had featured earlier in this blog in a slightly different form.  In this example the student concerned had designed the print as a key ring.  The student found the design (shape of the cow) available as a free online shape.     She then spent a short time adding the star to the design and then inserted a hole through the design.  More time was spent on the choices of the spray painting colours.  When this was completed the student thought that they were completed and was working on packaging and the stickers for the final product.

Then the student from playing with the keyring and made a decision to alter the design to change and develop earrings instead.   Obviously the original design with its dimensions was not suitable for earrings - so there was some redesigning and thinking about process - the goal of which was to ensure that the design could be converted into a suitable earring.

The first stage was a simple reshaping of the design to suit the dimensions.  In the original design (in blue in the photograph top left) the shape was 70mm across and 60mm high.    The first resizing was a full third of this size, with the entire design reshaped to reflect a more realistic size.  In the original although not visible the width of the print was halved so that the earrings would not be too heavy.   This reduced the print time to forty five minutes, while the length of the prints were halved.   We have previously detailed on this blog the creation of a six minute print - Pac Man Earrings from 2021.

In the first 'pair' variation shown left the student then experimented with printing a potential pair of earrings, but wanted to use an earring hook to ensure that the earrings would hang correctly and check their weight.  It allowed the student to identify subtle changes that needed to be made.   The heart shape hole inside the print had two issues - one which was of course its location (which meant the prints did not hang correctly) and the second was when the hook connector was attached the loop affected the hang.

The student spent some time experimenting with this before being able to refine the print further.  The student completing this process is a Y3 student so that is someone who is seven years old (although this is a student who is very hard working and generally capable with design ideas that are positive.  It should be also pointed out that this is there very first 3D Print original design and process involvement.

The final design (with the earring hook and loop attached) is shown left.   As is visible the hole has been re-centred and the heart replaced with a simple circle - this meant that the cow now hung correctly, was balanced and even.

In terms of the PLA required to make this print we gave the students the details of the cost of the roll of filament which they then (with a little teacher help) was able to calculate that each print is costing $.40c NZD to produce (for a pair).   The irony is that the hooks while being smaller (but an integral part of the print none-the-less) are actually more expensive than the PLA required to complete the 3D Prints.  In terms of a price point the student is (still) currently struggling - having made the print, created it and designed it the raw cost for materials is obviously under $1.00 NZD for the entire product and the student has attempted to price compare to original earrings that are online to set a realistic price point.

The purpose of next months School Market Day is not to make as much profit as possible per item - it is to show and give the students opportunities to showcase innovation.   This design and process meets that criteria.

What we would do differently/Next steps for students: This design has reached to the point that the student is expanding into different designs following the same format, looking at realistic packaging options and ways to market the product.   All in all the process is considered extremely successful and while the initial key ring is also a product for sale the earrings will now be the focus.

Y3 Market Day Items: Beginners Prints

Challenge: For students who have never produced a 3D Print to create an original project for School Market Day.

Background: We have the School Market Day approaching (which is summarised in a tab on this blog with exemplars and examples).  A number of students for the first time are trying to produce something original which they can then in term promote or sell on our community day.   

With our junior classroom our students in some cases have not had an opportunity before to design a print and it can be an engaging and rewarding experience.  

Two current examples are the jumping dog shown above in the left hand corner.  This student is a Y3 student and a recent transfer to our school - this is his very first 3D Print.  He located a freely available print of a leaping dog.   He wanted to change it into a key ring and as a result took the image imported it into Tinkercad.   From there it was a simple matter of adding hole into the design for the purpose of transforming it into a key ring - and then the student (under supervision of other older students) spray painted the design.   

The print took three and a half hours to complete on the regular default settings (which is a twenty percent infill).  There was no rafting on the print.  The print measured 70mm across and was 90mm high (at the back leg).   The print was 20mm thick/deep - potentially this could have been reduced to maintain the robust nature of the print but to reduce the print time.  

As we detailed in this situation the students part of the process needs to create something original as the student has to claim ownership of the design process.  Examples from last year included using a design like this but creating original accessories and also focussing on the packaging with the product.   It goes without saying that the student has enjoyed the process and is thrilled with the result.  The student is now going to test the keyring and consider the placement of the whole.

Axolotl Keyring followed a similar process.  The student was looking at designing something that would be unique and have a purpose but also wanted to be something that she would be able to produce and create herself.

Again a basic shape was located as there is a variety available online.  Once this was selected the hole was inserted into the tail.    The dimensions of the print were smaller than usual - it measured 60mm across and was 40mm high, in addition the print was 10mm thick.  This was less robust than the dog but it meant that the print could be completed in a much reduced timeframe - this was only one hour to complete.  Once it was completed again the student then completed the presentation with supervised spray painting by seniors in our school.   This will complete the brief of the project with the addition of packaging and information related to the animal.

3D Printed Student Business - November 24th

We have a confirmed date for our 2023 School Market Day.  This is taking place at Auroa Primary School, South Taranaki on Friday 24th November 2023.   We will be selling a number of innovation items at this event, which have been featured on this blog by students (Y3 and Y4) of our class.  Our classrooms throughout the school including the Y7/8 students who are selling items related to the use of our school Laser Cutter, Poster Making Machine and Sticker Making Machine.

We are also looking at refining this site a little bit in terms of presentation and sharing.   

Traditionally since 2015 when we first started posting to this blog with the sharing being limited to Twitter/X.  Initially the teacher responsible for this blog had a significant following (over 9k teachers). 

  

Due to circumstances outside of my control the main account associated with this (@NZWaikato) was deleted and I was unable to recover my account (despite repeatedly trying for several months).   Since then I have continued to share to Twitter/X however my account has not had the same sharing since then and the platform as itself has been struggling as of late.   As a consequence of this we are looking at sharing the material from this site to some different locations such as Instagram and Pinterest.   

The purpose of doing that is the same reason that the site was established for.   We always intended to share examples of works and ideas relating to the use of 3D Printer in the classrooms.  We since the establishment of the site not only have 3D Printers been used in the classroom but also additional resources as well (Printers, Sticker Machines, Laser Cutter) however while we intend sharing examples of these items on the site we are not intending to change the name of the site!   

3D Printed Fennec Fox - Market Day 2023

Challenge: To make an original Fennec Fox model.

Background: With the school Market Day approaching later this school term one of the students wanted to use their interests in Fox to create an original 3D Print.   This example was fennec fox - which is somewhat famous for the size of its ears.  The student involved had researched the animal and used this as a basis for the design shown left.

This version of this fox was designed using the main interface of Tinkercad.   The entire design for the fox was made by selecting the different shapes and manipulating them to the desired size.   The overall affect allowed the student to create a 'cartoon' fox.   This is the first independent design for this student who is a Y4 from our school in New Zealand making them eight years old.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - This is not a completely free design because the student is basing their entire design on the recognition between the fox and the design that they have made.  It was discussed afterwards to use this process to create a fantastical creature.

Size: This is the prototype to see if the process will work and a design can be made.  This design dimensions are reflected in this.   The design measured 25mm across and was 35mm high with a height of 40mm.    A successful print at this stage would lead to potentially a bigger print in the future.

Timeframe: This print came in, including minimum rafting at ninety minutes.   There is minimum rafting (waste printing) to go with the print, some minor adjustments which is potentially 

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: Given the usual factors this has been extremely successful.   The student is thrilled with the result - however questions have arisen given the use of the design.  We have some Chess fanatics in the classroom they have realised already that the piece here is potentially able to be used.   

The other option potentially is to look at other games - either a small ring toss or a game of noughts and crosses (also referred to as Tic-Tac-Toe in some locations).    These options potentially need another animal to act as the counter - the student is researching what might be created or used to do this.