Exploring AR/VR and 3D Printed Designs and Creations

 

Challenge: For students to combine a 3D Print design with an AR/VR version of the design.

Background: Junior students at the Y3 level means the students are seven years old.   They are developing ideas and prints for the first time and coming to grips with the difference between a fun idea and a fun idea that will make a practical 3D Print.   We have already starting exploring this idea with some of the students who have started to use the Tinkercad AR/VR button to take their designs and place them in the classroom and around the school.   The next logical step for this process was to find some prints that it was possible to print out and then place them next to their virtual likeness to see how they compare.   For this we deliberately chose a design that was going to be smaller to ensure that the timeframe was limited.   In this example the student had used the main Tinkercad design interface and chosen a character (the Snowman) and the guitar linked together by a small bar that they placed between the designs.

When the original design was then AR/VR in Tinkercad, it was dropped in the classroom next to the print so the student could compare the differences.  The intention was then to ask the student to consider what had worked, what didn't work and what changes that they would make to ensure that the print matched.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the idea behind this project is to get someone started and then make sure the concept or idea of the AR/VR can be applied to their print.

Size: The main figures measured 45mm high and were 30mm across.   The design will require reworking that will affect it addressing the issue of its stability but the intention is for the size to remain static.

Timeframe: Forty minutes for the project.   Refinements are required for this to be successful (see below) so there are adjustments that need to be made to make the process successful.   

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: Elements of the original design of the print were not successful.   The guitar at its base was unable to stick to the printing plate, as the student had not assigned enough rafting - the same was true of the top of the instrument.   The student also has produced a link which is light and would be suspect is much pressure is applied, as it will almost certainly break.  Finally there is the functionality of the project - as always we encourage the students to have a purpose for the object that they are printing, rather than making a one off object that is disposable - as a refrain to this is if you would like a plastic toy you can buy one at a thrift shop.  However as an example of AR/VR an object the student is positive and looking forward to completing a second print on the topic.