3D Printed Bangle: Oversized Design

Challenge: Students are seven years old - design something original in Tinkercad.

Background: In my class of junior students I have made time available for the students to create using Tinkercad.   Some of the designs have been creative to the point that they wouldn't work.   Some of the designs have needed refinement and assistance from other students - and have been extremely creative.  The younger students have manipulated and changed designs and made things that appeal to themselves.   

We have started to have our students move from these designs into targeting more specific prints that they can work on independently, the goal as always is for the teacher to be able to press 'print' rather than have to rework or have the student have to adjust something that they would like to create.

In this instance this student who is seven is looking at creating an original piece where she has been solely responsible for the creation the design and the production of the 3D Print.   This student has a liking for jewellery and in this example wanted to make a bangle for herself - which needed to be wearable but also wanted to make something that had her name on it.   She used the basic designs from the Tinkercad interface - and then by using her iPad to manipulate the shape, increase it depth, and spent time measuring her wrist to ensure that it would work successfully.

This is the first independent project for the student.

Size: The bangle measured 120mm across and was 90mm high.    This was designed by the student to fit the dimensions of her wrist (again as should be pointed out is seven years old).

Timeframe: Four hours.   This is reflected in the dimensions and the purpose of the project.   It was discussed with the student about potentially making it thinner however the student said that it was perfect as it was and didn't want to make any changes to the design.

Level of Difficulty: Low - there is essentially two component pieces to this design the basis of the shape being the circle which is then manipulated and the addition of the name of the person who designed the bracelet.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: The student is intending to spray paint this design and look at adding features to it.  Those features that the student is going to be encouraged to look at it are small adhesive stickers and other ways to formally decorate it.  It is very much intended as a way to encourage this student to think about creative and individual designs moving forward.