Encouraging the use of 3D Printers and other technology in the Classroom by sharing examples and good practise - from a classroom of wonderful junior school students in New Zealand.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Challenge: To produce a unique Market Day idea or concept to be marketed and sold.
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.
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.
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.
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.
