3D Printed Keyring Using Scribble

Challenge: Using 'Scribble' option from Tinkercad to produce a unique 3D Print.
Background: As a new school year has started in New Zealand we are looking at ways to use the creation process involved with 3D Printing for students to create new projects and cover new ground.   As some of the students in this years class cohort have already mastered using basic Tinkercad design we wanted to use another tool to help encourage them to create something individual.

One of the key Tinkercad design tools is the 'scribble' icon, which can be seen in the bottom right hand corner of this screenshot.    The student concerned was challenged to use this tool to create something unique.   She was wanting to create a gift for another student and work independently to create a design.

By utilizing the scribble design she kept the design brief and was able to create the cat that was featured to the left.   The 'scribble' option allowed this Y5 student to create something with an easily recognisable design.   To ensure that the print was personalised she added the students name to the bottom of the design (which indeed is spelt with a single l).   Finally to allow the item to have a purpose she used the ability to easily put a hole into the design in the top right hand.

We are previously created detailed step by step instructions to complete this sort of task as we would appply it as a basic introduction to 3D Printing for students who are in the Y5-6 year level (independently).
Degree of Difficulty: Low - there is a variety of tutorials and assistance to complete projects like this.  As an introduction to 3D Printing we usually find students can complete it successfully after watching videos such as this.

Size: The design measured 110mm across from end to end and was 90mm high.  One of the key elements to reduce the print time but to also ensure that it was manageable was to ensure that the thickness of the print was 5mm.    Given the purpose of the design, the size ideal for the project.
Timeframe: Three and a half hours.   The printers that we are using for this project are working on a 4mm nozzle and are nearly five years old (although they have been reconditioned).
What we would do differently/next steps for students: 'Scribble' is a basic design to allow students to create more unique pieces of work.   The icon and nature of the design tool does not suit every design, however it is something different and it allows for something unique to be created by the students involved.   Result.

3D Printed 'Scribble' Designs: Tinkercad

 

We have discussed in the past how we are looking innovative  and creative ways for our students to use tools such as Tinkercad in conjunction with their use of the iPads.  We have talked about the 'scratch' icon and how we have used it for the ten minute design challenge which has been put towards our junior school students.

We have also been working on our designs for a school award, a combination of the two was required as we wanted to personalise the design with symbols and details that are specific to Auroa Primary School. 

The brief to the students was to use the scribble design tool to create something unique and specific to our school.   In the example shown above the students copied 'Piri the Pukeko' the school mascot and used scribble to create their own version of this.

The scribble design shown left was 80mm long was 30mm high and 10mm high.   With these dimensions the prints took one hour to complete, using the Snapmaker design and completion.

Currently the student could look to add additional features into the design.   The shaded version shown above left has been coloured used the traditional mascot colouring of blue and orange.   The student wants to spray paint the design shown above and look at adding additional details into its presentation.

Another idea was to also look at other features that might then translate into something for our area.   The most iconic feature in our area is the Mountain, Taranaki which dominates our landscape and area and for which our region is named.   This was an early attempt to complete the process - and was quickly produced but the student wants to refine it.

It is currently 100mm across at the base and is 60mm to the top, the design is currently 10mm thick and as a result has a print time of forty minutes. 

The student wants to attend to the features of the mountain, the scale of the peaks relative to its shape and look at revising the design - we also want to make sure the student is aware of their designing and the importance of respectfully and correctly using it as inspiration.

Another student considered the use of 'scribble to completely design a new potential mascot for the school - in this instance the student wanted to look at designing a fox.

The idea behind the animal is that it has several features that stand out and are easily recognisable due to their scale - the ears and the tail in particular. 

In this instance the design measures 60mm across and was 60mm high.     The design was 10mm thick and currently has a print time of ninety minutes (again using the Snapmaker).

The student wanted to look to redesign the facial features of the print as this was the part of the design that the student was least satisfied with, however as they are completing a silhouette of the animal doing so with a combination of the features will provide to be challenging - however the  initial design shown here only took a few minutes to create.

Scribble Animal Challenge - Ten Minute Design

 

Occasionally we have challenges that come up as a result of circumstances, in this instance the opportunity came up for a design challenge that had a limited timeframe.

The students option was to use 'scribble' to design an animal which is one of the tools that is available from the main design page.   As shown left this student designed a cat theme for her design.   As it was created the purpose was a little limited, however when a pair of them were printed the student made the decision to convert them into a pair of ear rings.  We have printed and posted about these in the past, and how it is suited for 3D Printed designs and printing a class set or project.

After the first print was created the next step for the students was to look for ways to use scribble to improve the complexity of the design.   One of the other students in the classroom took the opportunity to use Tinkercads scribble to develop a silhouette of a cat.

Size: The cat measures 80mm from the top to the bottom, is 50mm wide and currently 10mm thick.  For a designed created in the timeframe available.

Timeframe: Forty minutes - given the timeframe and the length of time to design the animal.    The student was able to manipulate the design to their satisfaction.  In this example the student decided to print the design using glow-in-the-dark filament.

Other students have not yet to have the opportunity to print their designs however we have a range of designs waiting to be printed from the students.  A challenge for the students is to ensure that the scribble has linked with the students throughout the design to make sure that the print it is stable.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students:

There are a range of designs coming as this was set as a class task, and we have a class of twenty six students.   All of the student were able to produce work, and not all of it will make the process of printing, due to its format and function.  We have also asked the students to test the viability of the prints before submitting them for printing.  We also have the option of having the students AR/VR their design.

3D Printed Scribble: Desk Organiser

Challenge: Students (Y3) who are seven years old as an introduction to Tinkercad were exploring the 'scribble' option from the main interface along with playing with the shapes - the challenge, make something from it.

Background: As mentioned this years classroom of students are Y3/Y4 the designs and projects coming from the classroom is just as creative and interesting as some of the projects from the older students.   A case in point is the 'scribble' stationary holder.    It came about as a direct result of a creativity session where the students were looking at making something from the main interface.   The 'scribble' option was made and then manipulated by a student using it for the first time.   She had the idea to turn it into a holder for her stationary.   She came up with the idea of dragging the sides and inserting various holes into the base of the design.   

Some refining of the design was required with the assistance to place the students name of the print, however the student has since done this independently.    This is creativity from a student who has made something fantastic

Size: The holder measured 100mm across and was 80mm wide - the thickness of the sides of it was between 10mm and 15mm.   Looking into the purpose of the print altering these dimensions would be counter production for the purpose as it would restrict what could be held.

Timeframe: Ten hours - this would considerably less than some other designs that demonstrate this purpose.    Realistically using the Snapmaker you wouldn't have wanted it to be less of a timeframe as it would mean that there would potentially be issues with balance or the amount of material or items that it could hold. 

Level of Difficulty: Medium - the student had the idea and wanted to make 'scribble' into something useful and as a result.  It did require some additional input (see below) but as a first print ever it was extremely successful.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the Student: The student needed a limited amount of assistance to be shown two aspects of the print.   First was the sinking of the holes to the correct dimension so they were big enough and deep enough for the print, this was achieved by an elder student who was twelve helping her.    The placement of her name could have been selected slightly more carefully as it was in a place on the curve where it wasn't as visible as it could have been on the outside facing outwards (see top photo) the final aspect of the print would be the spray painting of the entire project which is currently yet to be done (the student is very happy to have a 'gold' stationary holder.  There was also a slight line created between the 'i' and 'n' of the students name, this was as a consequence of having a insert adjacent to it that was too close to edge which created a sight line.

Juniors Using Scribble for Creation

 

Challenge: Using 'scribble' tool to make something unique.

Background: We wanted to highlight the uniqueness that is possible by using the 'scribble tool' which is located on the main Tinkercad interface which can be used to create unique features and details which then can be created into a 3D Print.

If you want to see a historical example of this you can click on this link and look at another example which was created by a student in 2020.    In this example the student wanted to create something 'tractor' and 'farming themed' and produced this original design based on teachers instructions and peers in the classroom who were able to guide him.   He is a eight year old student who completed this after two weeks of working with Tinkercad designs and ideas.

Level of Difficulty: Completed independently by an eight year old, there are four basic steps to complete the process and he was able to do so in under thirty minutes from his original challenge.    In retrospect he could have modified the design in a couple of ways (see below).

Size:   This was obviously printed twice - with both versions shown next to each other in the first photograph.   The smaller design measured 80mm by 50mm and was 5mm thick.   The second (larger) design measures 100mm by 80mm and was also 5mm wide.

Cost/Price: Both these examples were printed using the Schools Bambu H2D.   The Bambu Lab software was able to determine a price and PLA plastic use for both prints.   The larger print used 27g of plastic at a cost of $0.67 per unit to print.    The smaller print used 20g of plastic, took thirty minutes to print and cost $0.40 to produce.     There was no waste PLA with either design as the design was flat.

Timeframe: Forty five minutes total print (large) and thirty minutes print the smaller design.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: The hole placed in the top right hand corner of the design was slight larger than it needed to be.   The student expressed a little dissatisfaction with the details created by the 'scribble' tool and wanted to improve the detail. 

3D Print: Juniors Using 'Scribble'

Challenge: Make something 'unique' using the scribble tool in Tinkercad.

Background: This activity came about when I was wanting the students who are Y3 and Y4 (some of whom who have just turned seven) to get involved with and be successful with 3D Printing.

Rather than using a template or something that had already been influenced by a design I wanted to have the students experiment with making something unique and new.   

The students used the 'scribble icon' to come up with a. series of designs - and for the sake of an example I printed the cat shown in green above.    There was no linking with the cat - the eyes and ears not being attached to the body meant when it was removed from the printer the print (which was only a small small which took just over half an hour).   While the students were disappointed that the outcome was not successful it took them a new design that was going to include having every aspect of the 'scribble' linked.

An alternative design to that is shown left- although the lettering is slightly hard to read it has a simple message but crucially to the success of the print all of the letters are linked in via the border around the outside of the print.    The print time is still very short well under an hour.   The border around the outside of the lettering gives the lettering itself balance.   While it is not obvious from the photograph shown left it  has a border that is 10mm thick which allows the print to sit comfortably.   We have considered having a series of small prints like this, potentially a different colour that can be placed in order or in sequence to display or have a message.

Further Tinkercad 'Scribble' Examples

Challenge: Junior students (Y3/4 - seven and eight year olds) to use the scribble icon from the main Tinkercad Interface to create a unique design. 

Background: As we are nearing the end of the class term in New Zealand and the school holidays are nearly upon us it has been a time to revisit some of the activities that we have completed during the past term (ten weeks) to see how the design of the students has evolved and see what can be produced.   Earlier in the term the students first experience with this produced some pleasing ideas, as detailed in the post on this blog.

In this case one of the students decided that they wanted to produce a tag for their items and use the 'scribble' icon from the main Tinkercad interface (shown left) to produce the print.

The student knew from previous experience with the icon that all of the elements of the name/writing needed to be linked.   There also needed to be a ring as part of the print that allowed it to be attached somehow.   Again this was located from the main interface.   The student concerned is a Y4 student whose first experiences of 3D Printing have taken place in the classroom during the past four months.

Level of Difficulty: Medium.  The student was confident with their design having attempted some basic 'scribble' designs before, the student was also directed to view some calligraphy so she could have some idea of flourishing font.  However the student was confident having worked successfully on a number of prints before.  She also opted to add a star to the design as shown left.

Size: 10mm thick, 70mm long and 30mm wide.   Given the dimensions of the print and what it was intended for (a small labelling object) it also needed to be robust enough that it would last while it was in use - therefore the width of the print was needed.

Timeframe: Two hours - this was realistic given the dimensions of what was required for the print.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the Students: Nil - the student was extremely pleased with how the print turned out and felt that it would work well for the purpose that it was intended for.

3D Printed: Art Stencil - Junior School

 

Challenge: To produce an original 3D Printed art stencil suitable for use in the classroom (for art).

Background: As a teacher I am always looking for inspiration for students which we can take and then apply to design, creation and ultimately 3D Printing and this project worked out extremely well with my classroom of junior (seven and eight year old students).   

It started with the purchase of the stencil shown left that was purchased at a local dollar store.  We then shared the idea with the students in the classroom and posed the question - can they use Tinkercad to create their own version so that we could use it as our own art stencil?

As a reference point from this blog we could also point to a student name stencil that we then used with spray paint from 2024 located here or the stencil made with our school laser cutter which took place last year.   

We looked at the images that were shown on the stencil, talked about what images were available to the students via Tinkercads search interface, and what images the students might be either make using Tinkercads scribble feature or finding .stl images that would be able to used to create the shape.  We then also looked at a recent production from our 2025 School Market Day, a night light where the students had used scribble to create inserts into the side of their nightlight - these were former students now in another classroom.

Step one was to push the template, instructions and details out to the students via Seesaw and allow them to respond and share a snapshot of the design.  This allowed students to create their own ideas but also look at other ideas, responses and creations.

A key question that came up was the thickness of the stencil plate, which was measured to be 1mm and a question of whether this could be reliably printed or would be too thin.   The students also discussed linking and what parts of the prints would 'fall out' during printing - which caused them to develop some ideas and will be a point moving forward.  The students were given thirty minutes to complete their designs at this stage - at which point we held a sharing session with the students to discuss designs like the one that was shown left.

The next step was for the students to refine their designs and look at what other members of classroom had either created as original shapes or located elsewhere.   There was some repetition of ideas.

The last step in this session was for the students to take their designs and experiment with projecting them into a variety of locations using the AR/VR function on Tinkercad and their iPads and the Tinkercad App

In this phase a change of background as simple as the one shown left clearly showed that details of the rocket ship and planet and sun were going to 'fall out' when the printing process was completed.  This caused some revision of the students design.

We have used the AR/VR tool extensively this year as a way for the students to produce something at the end of the production process and have a design that can be applied and shared.  There are many examples of this on this blog and we have also produced an entire slideshow of Tinkercad design ideas that don't have to lead to 3D Printing.   Our school is resourced in an amazing way - we have two hundred students and are very lucky to have three 3D Printers that we can use however we cannot always print a number of large scale projects such as a class set at once due to the time involved.    

In this instance we completed the start of the process of selected prints so that they can be used by the students, handled by the students and shared by the students.  We want the students to be able to shape their designs and examples and see what they can make using the technology to get their ideas thinking.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - the basic shape ideas from Tinkercad are easily available, the selected students who are attempting to use scribble are finding the process more challenging.  Students need to also put a hole right through their design plate.

Size: Most of the students opted for a design that was 150mm by 150mm or 160mm which took up most of the design space area.   We are very lucky to have machines with a large build plate so this could have been attempted with the goal to produce a smaller item but the initial provocation from the dollar store was a A4 sized sheet.  As for the width of the print in the example shown in this post the student opted for a 3mm thick print, which was three times the original this was done to ensure that it was robust enough to survive the printing process, we have already discussed attempting to complete this at 2mm and potentially 1mm using the Bambu H2D Printer.

Cost/Price: We would be looking at the activity using filament that will cost in the region of $1.00 NZD each.  Once the width of the print that is determined to be successful can be determined this was impact the PLA used.

Timeframe: We opted to use the Bambu H2D due to the fine detail that we were expecting with some of the designs and on regular settings this took seventy minutes for the sheet.  We could reduce this time by removing the insides of the print, which is not required to be in place for the stencil.  This then is leading itself already into a discussion with the students about a silhouette and an art activity seperate to the design may then come as a result.

It is conceivable that we will attempt to use the Snapmaker printers to complete this project and compare the results that the two machines are able to produce.   We would anticipate that the project print time with this machine would double per sheet as it stands.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the students: As noted a lesson (art themed) on silhouette art, further refining the design - for instance in the orange example above the detail such as the inside of the smiley face will not survive the printing process as it is not attached to the base - can the students recognise this? Can they then develop their images to take this into account?

The final stage of course will be applying the process to art, that is the students using the stencil to complete some form of art such as a Mandala design or similar.

Tinkercad/scribble + Pic Collage Filter

We have a range of students in the classroom a group who have been working in the class time provided (which is usually once or twice a week for forty five minutes or so) and also in their own time to use their iPads to develop their design skills.

During that time in class over the course of the year we get students who develop their ideas and skills and we build into them the ideas, encourage creativity and look for ways to have moments of excitement and magic with them.  Sometimes in the time frame they work this creativity in ways that is great to share.  As we posted recently our creative 'festive' designs have started taking shape for the year.   

Another example is the original design shown left.  This was created by an eight year old student whose been designing in the first year of using Tinkercad as an app.   The student tends to be a little reserved with some of their ideas.   They opted to use the Tinkercad scribble tool which we have used in the past and created an elf like figure, which is shown in the photograph above.   They then used their iPad and the Tinkercad apps AR/VR function to start projecting their image in different locations around the classroom.   In the photo above it is 'standing' on the floor of the classroom.   The student has used one of the 2025 Market Day Christmas trees to include in this projected image as she intended to use the Pic Collage filter for the next step.

The image shown left is the Tinkercad image, which has then been VR/AR projected onto the floor and then screen shot, which has then had the Pic Collage Silent Night 2 filter (which is currently free for anyone who has the app) applied to it.

The filter has taken the design added additional features, taken the tree at the front, coloured the entire photo and then added the additional colour and stars to the picture.
 

There are currently a range of filters with the app that are available for use (and free) and the student used a range of them with her Tinkercad image.  She settled on this final design as she is going to create a Christmas Card using this image as the front of the card, with additional lettering and a message on the inside.

As noted the entire process took under one hour.   Other students also created a range of designs using Tinkercad for this project, searched through their Tinkercad accounts and looked for other designs that they could import and then 'filter'.   Some students opted for figures but we also had others building entire scenes such as the typical 'Santas Grotto' with a range of buildings and other features.    This task (using scribble) could easily be completed (successfully) by younger students.

3D Printing Junior Challenge: Introducing Scribble

This is the third in the series of recent 'Cookie Cutter' class project work.   School in New Zealand has now broken for the school holidays, we will be back in person in February, in the meantime we will be revisiting all of our 2025 project work and we have a range of prints and projects from the year which we we will be posting.   As always if you want to get in contact with the teacher who runs this blog you can do so by emailing him at myles.webb@gmail.com.

Challenge: For students to create an original, unique and working cookie cutter suitable for use.

Background: We have detailed this process over the past two days, detailing how the original inception and idea featured a tree shape.  

As the students started developing ideas a clear next step was going to be using the 'scribble' tool present in Tinkercad.   When selected with the students iPads it allows students to be able to freely draw on a seperate design page then bring this straight into Tinkercad.   This allows the students the ability to create a range of shapes and designs and the students have proven increasing adept at developing their skills to use this to produce different ideas.   In the case of this challenge the students started looking at traditional ideas and shapes associated with Christmas and then experimenting with them.  

Having already identified that early prints lacked a handle and tended to be too thin this student wanted to make sure that this print addressed both these potential issues.

Level of Difficulty: Low - this is a straightforward design that took the students a few minutes to independently produce as a eight year old.

Size: The print is 90mm wide 70mm high and has sides that are 10mm thick and 10mm high.

Cost: The print has a PLA use of 13g and an associated cost according to Bambulab of $0.31.

Timeframe: The print using the Bambu H2D took 38 minute to complete.   This makes this project an excellent challenge based around the concept of printing a class set or a large group of prints as the timeframe makes it somewhat realistic (with our classroom we are attempting to complete the entire run using a single printer over the course of a week at school)

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: The run of prints in this sequence were based around tree designs, this version was the first 'scribble' tool designed version and it was printed as it was intended to share with the students a different approach.   The handle while it is functional needs some more refinement.   The student also has created 'sections' for the hat that are quite distinct.  In testing when the students use the cutter to cut through the play-doh if the students cut right through it does not leave a single piece, but it leaves the design in two distinct sections - so the students need to engineer a solution to be able to  press it trough some of the way, but not completely through so the shape remains intact.    

This will be updated with further versions of this print later.   You can also see the 2025 Christmas themed slideshow featuring ten years of different Christmas Designs and Challenges for students by clicking on the link here.

3D Printed Badges: 2020 Exemplars

'John Deere' and 'Scribble Cats' Designs

Challenge: For students to independentally produce 3D Printed badges as a first print for the school year to include versions or approaches to design that we have not featured.
Background: Throughout the past few years as an introductory task to show students 3D Printing we have typically started with a basic design that has featured some personalisation and a practical use.   These are three examples that were all created by students using Tinkercad who met this brief.  To put their designing in context the students are speding the second year in the classroom, having started in the class the previous year, so they have had a year of experience or opportunity with 3D Design.  Students have used Tinkercad to complete the design process.   While there are more detailed and other products, programs and resources in the marketplace and online we have always found this to be dependable, reliable and adaptable.   Students have found the ability to create and make 3D

Cricket themed 'Kian' design

Printed designs easily.  I would also like to recognise as well the ability of Tinkercad to create an entire classroom of student accounts that come under the umbrella of the teacher.   This is flexible and allows the students to work with minimal input.    All three designs were created by students who were ten years old.

The 'John Deere' themed key ring is a key ring for a tractor.  The student located it online and wanted to add the addtion of the 'Dad' under the logo.    'Cats Forever' was created using 'scribble' which is one of the new design.   The key feature of the 'John Deere' design was the fact that the base itself had a lip or edge created for it.   The lip was around the outside of the design, and has a length of 10mm.   The base of the design proper is 5mm.   In usual design of these types of projects the base would be consistent for its entire length, the

Above: John Deere Lip

lip has reduced the need for this and then considerably reduced the print time.   You can see this feature of this design to your left.

Degree of Difficulty: Low - these designs are intented as a creation task to ensure that students are successful.  Refining the design is to simply tweak it slightly. 

Size: While there are three distinct designs featured in this post they have similar dimensions.   The bases are between 100-110mm and they have a height of 100-140mm.   The thickness of the design varies slightly the 'Kian' and 'Cats Forever' designs have a universal thickness to them, as noted 'John Deere' had a lip that was created that significantly improved the print time relative to the other prints in the series.  Given the revised versions of the print this change could have been made.
Timeframe: Three and a half hours ('John Deere') four and a half hours ('Kian') and six and half hours ('Cats Forever').   We would have revised this design to reflect the lip given the opportunity.
What we would do differently/next steps for students: Given the lip considerations mentioned otherwise the students designs/purpose etc. for the students was successful.

Revisiting Stencils from 2025

 

Challenge: For students to produce an original stencil that could be used for an art design.

Background: We attempted this in November 2025 and it proved to be a popular challenge for the students.  At the time we had a number of other projects that were taking place and it was always going to be something to revise at a later date.

The idea was relatively straight forward.   By using the Tinkercad main interface available via the program (or the app) students were able to locate the 'hole' icon.   This allows students to pull a hole though a solid shape.  In this case it creates a stencil effect.   The biggest issue was the thickness of the potential stencil.   In the case shown above the Bambu H2D is able to produce a stencil that is 1mm thick - which allows a minimum print time for the project but has enough strength that it can be used as a functional stencil.

Not all of the stencil shapes were successful - the house which can be viewed on the Tinkercad screenshot which is in the bottom left did not have the correct linking on the inside of the print so when the print was removed from the printer this part of the print did not survive the process (and created the shape which you can see bottom right in the photograph).   

The student is now going to refine the design, think about what other shapes might be able to be created, including some specific challenges (see below).

Level of Difficulty: This is low as it is another introductory task.   The concept or key idea to use with the challenge is the hole tool.   This can be mastered easily by the (seven and eight year old students) and then applied to their general designs.    The shapes can be sourced from the Tinkercad library, or in the case of the house the students can use the 'scribble' command to create unique designs.

Size: The key element to the design is its width or thickness which in this case is 1mm.  The print was 150mm long and 86mm wide or tall.   To aide in the printing time the stencil shapes are essentially hollow so that part of the plate/design does not print.

Cost/Price: To complete this stencil used 12g of filament.   Using the Bambu Lab Studio information we can determine that the cost of this print was $0.30c.  A word of caution - this was completed using the Bambu H2D it might be beyond the capability of some 3D printers to complete the details.

Timeframe: The print took 25 minutes to print making it one of the shortest prints that we would be completing - of course this is primarily due to the width of the print.   It makes it a potential task to complete with a class of students.

What we do next/Next steps for the students: The key issue with a print like this in the early stage is the detail from the students.   They are able to complete this task easily but it is the unique nature of the task where the potential lies.   Students could use the scribble command and create a specific design - in this instance the student did not use a 'font' but could have easily done so to create their name, or the name of their school as the centrepiece.   It is also considering what patten the stencil might be used for, while obviously some kind of tessellation is easily achieved perhaps the student could have an art piece in mind prior to their Tinkercad design and they then complete it with this in mind.

This is a post that will be updated when further students have completed their designs.

You can see additional work based around this process and concept by clicking on the link here from November 2025 or a design involving spray painting from 2024.

3D Junior Printing: Angel Exemplar

 

Challenge: To use Tinkercad and scribble to create a unique decoration/cookie cutter.

Background: During Christmas 2025 we had a range of projects that we were working on as the year came to an end.  We also wanted to look at projects that students could complete independently and also potentially festive, and this design was made as part of the cookie cutter challenge for our students.

While some students had worked on complex designs including versions that included handles, such as the examples that were shown in these posts.   This student is a skilled designer and was able to consistently able to produce creations and prints of the highest quality.   This design was deliberately kept as simple as possible by the student - balancing the shape and the viability of the design.   This was created in under ten minutes by a seven year old student.

This would be an ideal introductory task for a student starting to work on a 3D Printing challenge.    It was completed with an iPad and followed a similar process to some of our earlier design.   The student wanted to consider using this design as also a bunting - hence the reason that it was printed using super glow in the dark PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Low.   This would be a basic introductory task for someone with students starting 3D Printing if you are a teacher looking for a first step with 3D Printing this would be a great place to start.

Size: This print was 60mm high, 50mm wide and 10mm thick.   This was quite a small design however it could easily be up-scaled to something similar.   Resizing would have taken the student just a few seconds to drag and drop the design.

Cost: We made a conscious decision to use the Bambu H2D printer to complete this task as potentially we would be producing a number of prints (if this would be used as bunting or a decoration).    By using the Bambu inbuilt software we can determine that this print used 6.5g of filament and this was determined to cost $0.16 per produce per unit.   It would have been slightly higher had non glow-in-the-dark PLA used.

Timeframe: Twenty minutes using the Bambu H2D.   Had we used one of the schools Snapmaker the print would have been successful but would have taken twice the time.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: This was a straight-forward task with a basic simple outcome that was easily completed, although potentially the student could have placed more emphasis on the details involved in the silhouette however this wouldn't necessarily have translated to a better final product.

You can view a post about Cookie Cutters from 2019 here on this blog,  this 'cat' themed design from 2017 a scribble version of a Christmas hat from the same series in 2025, 

3D Printed "Scribble' Shoe

 

Challenge: To create something with a basketball theme that was unique for a potential market day item.

Background: Various associated deadlines are being met for the students as we prepare for our school Market Day 2025, with the often mentioned focus on being personalised and innovative.   This is sometimes a challenge as there is a wealth of material out there freely available.

A case in point is basketball themed items which we have identified as something students are enthusiastic about and we mentioned already how this group have used inspiration from exisiting NBA logos and design to personalise some for their local clubs or sports teams.   The challenge for the students was to increase the personalisation.

The student has attempted to resolve this by using the 'scribble' option for Tinkercad.  We have talked about this design tool previously - that it allows the students or creators to essentially create any shape at all (as opposed to something linear).    In this instance the student wanted to create a basketball shoe, however they addressed the issues of purpose by including the ring at the top and then including their name in the form of the middle of the line of the print.

The students design shown is there first attempt at the task, they have already indicated that they are going to produce alternative versions of this print with additional detail to get the dimensions better, however they were thrilled with their first attempt.

Size: The print measures 90mm long and is 70mm high at the top.   The width of the print is 10mm.  Suitable for the dimensions of the print.

Timeframe: Seventy five minutes.   Given the dimensions of the print, and the fact that this was a successful print on 'fast' settings this is the right size for the project.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: The student wants to refine the design to try and get the dimensions correct and more detailed, so that the print looks a better piece.

3D Printed Stencils: Name Focus

 

Challenge: To produce a name stencil for a student that focusses on the name.

Background: This series of posts has been developing since the first tasks for the year.   In the initial stencils students focussed on basic shapes, provided by the main Tinkercad interface.  Following this students used scribble and then developed their names as part of the stencil.  We detected at this point that some of the students names could have been more of the star and therefore the final form has essentially gone back a step, with students creating a stencil with just their name as shown left.

We want to use this for an art based activity so have deliberately kept it simple.   These stencils were all designed by eight year old students using their iPads and Tinkercad independently - including the majority of students who were developing skills for the first time.

As noted we have used our Bambu H2D for this process, in allows us to confidently print 1mm wide PLA with minimal (ie no) waste.

Level of Difficulty: Low this is essentially a step backwards for the students for the purpose of having the name itself dominate more.  Having already completed this task and added numbers shapes and designs students were very clear and able to complete the process with minimal instruction.

Size:   The Lucy print shown measured 165mm by 140mm and was 1nm wide.   The Jules print was created using scribble hence the wavy lines this measured 180mm across and was 130mm high.

Cost/Price: Lucy cost $0.60c and used 23g of PLA filament.   Jules used $0.57c and used 24g of filament.  This was a standard PLA which we are currently sourcing for $30.00 per kilogram.

Timeframe:   The Jules print took thirty nine minutes to complete.   The Lucy print took forty one minutes to complete.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the students: We have always had the intention of turning this project into some form of art based project where the stencil is the centrepiece.   The students are now going to take these design and apply a range of materials to them to look at the designs that are produced as a result (such as the example shown left).

3D Printed Cup Coaster - with 'scribble'

 

Challenge: To produce an original item for consideration for market day 2025.

Background: This was one of the ideas that students had at the time when we were planning ideas and designs for our school market day in 2025.   This was an original prototype that the students created that subsequently didn't advance past the planning stage, however once the year was completed we started looking at projects that were otherwise not developed due to time constraints such as printer machine availability.

This design was recently identified as having potential and will be something that we will look at developing with the class of students who will be starting in February of 2026.  In this example the students utilised the design template (something that you could easily push out to the entire class via their Tinkercad accounts) and then added the design that is shown in the middle of the coaster.

The middle design was created by a eight year old student using the 'scribble' tool which allows the free creation of a particular shape and then applies it into a design.   In this case the student has opted very sensibly to sink the design into the base of the coaster (as of course having done so it doesn't affect the balance of the cup).

In this example the lip of the holder extends 7mm however this could easily be increased which would increase the stability.   Personalisation of this design is also a very obvious next step for the student.

Level of Difficulty: This is low as the base of the design was located by the student, downloaded and then added to.   Creating the layering required to make a coaster is a very simple two step process, as is the decoration in the base.   The eight year old was able to complete this independently without any teacher input.

Size: The print measured 110mm across was 10mm thick.  These dimensions worked perfectly for a regular cup however the obvious potential would be to customise this design in either direction (including super sized) depending on the requirements.

Cost: Using the Bambu Studio auto costing information the print uses 34g of filament.   The cost to produce a print with this filament is 85c.   For a standard roll of filament that would be 1kg costing $30.00 we would be able to produce 29 of these prints - which given the potential cost (and print time) would mean it would be a potential market day future item.

Timeframe: The print took under one hour to print (55 minutes).   Obviously any adaption of the size of this print would cause an adjustment to the time.   This was also completed with the Bambu H2D using a standard printer (such as the Snapmaker) would mean that we would expect the print to take twice as long (and there also likely to be less definition with the shaping).

What we would do Differently/Next steps for the students: This is potentially an excellent introductory task one that realistically a class could complete  as the print time is not impossible to imagine that it could not be completed during the course of a week.    

3D Printed Key: 2025 Junior Exemplar

 

Challenge: To produce an original piece of work as a gift suitable for another school to use in some way.

Background: We have been wanting to look at working with another school on collaborative projects and including design that could be unique and something special for another school.

As we noted previously we looked at working with another ADS (Apple Distinguished School) from Auckland, New Zealand, The Gardens School.

We had the students create a range of ideas based around the logo of the school - the challenge for the students was to create something featuring the Gardens School logo.   As detailed our students worked in various dimensions of Tinkercad to produce the logo.    We stressed to the students the importance of accurately depicting the logo as closely to the original.  Various versions of the design were attempted by the students and then we used AR/VR to project the ideas around the school at different locations.   This tested the viability of the design.

The colour matching that was available for the project came in the form of the main interface of Tinkercad.  The student relied on scribble from Tinkercad to provide the koru detail.

Level of Difficulty: High - the detail in this project need to be particularly careful and respectful of the logo and its importance to another school, creating something that was not considered close was something that we steered the students away from creation.  This was always intended to be a project where we would have a narrow number of final products eventually 3D Printed.  While this student is a Y4 student (eight year old) they have been constantly creating a high degree of designs throughout the year.

Size: This is something of an oversized keyring as the project currently measures 100mm by 100mm.   The print has an outer rim which is 10mm high on the outside, and 5mm on the inside - this creates a layering affect with the design which is eye catching.   The font is faithful to the original being two regular fonts with the 'Gardens' part of the logo again relying on the student using scribble to create.  This is designed as an oversized keyring for teachers with teachers specifically in mind.  For it to be more practical the project would need to have been reduced in size as it is not intended to be put into a regular pocket.

Cost/Price: Using the reliable feature on the Bambu H2D with regular prices for PLA which we are currently experiencing at $30.00 NZD for a 1kg spool of filament this print requires 36g of filament to complete and this would have an associated cost of $0.90c to complete.   For a full regular roll we would be able to produce 27 units on regular settings and infill.  There is no waste PLA with this print - that is it prints as shown directly onto the plate without the need for any waste plastic support.

Timeframe: Using the Bambu H2D this print takes just over sixty minutes.  Given the detail with the lettering this would be the best potential result for the machine to complete successfully.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the students: This is not a project for our own students it is very much intended to be something for the students to do for someone else, and therefore judging its success is very much dependant on others opinions of the final product.

If you use the search bar top right and use the tag 'Keyring' you will see a multitude of projects with this theme.