Go Geek Vermilion: 3D Printing in Progress. Caution: Highly Addictive

As a Christmas present this year for "our son" we decided to purchase a small desktop 3D printer. I'd be embarrassed to tell you how many minutes I've wasted standing in front of this mesmerizing little machine as it lays down layers upon layers of melted plastic, resulting in a three-dimensional object of my every imagining. We have used it to create everything from a lime juicer for guacamole to Maya temples for a 5th grade social studies project. My 7-year old even created heart charms to give away to classmates for Valentine's this year.

In Vermilion over the past year or so, we have been gradually acquiring 3D printers for student use and now have three of them - one at the middle school and two at the high school. The question that seems to be on everyone's mind is "How do we incorporate 3D printing into our classrooms?". Before we delve into ways we can leverage these machines for learning, let me show you how easy it is to use one:

After the printer software is installed on your laptop, you can find an object to print, import the file into the software, and start printing in under 4 minutes!

Some examples of how 3D printed objects have been used for instruction in our classrooms include designing solutions to solve a problem, using printed models as examples and other class activities, and printing out manipulatives used to demonstrate a concept. For example, a few weeks ago I printed out a replica of a terracotta warrior for a 6th grade social studies BreakoutEDU lesson on ancient China. Also, I have printed ten frames for the Kindergarten classes as well as a capital/lowercase letter matching game. In Mrs. Schneid's art class at the high school, a student designed and printed out a tool to clean the print head on their Makerbot 3D printer which kept getting clogged. If you are interested in getting your feet wet with 3D printing, the resources below will help you begin.

Design Software:

Tinkercad (web-based, open source software accessible to all students)

Sketchup Pro (available to students and staff in Self-Service)

Scuptris (free downloadable software for teacher use)

Autodesk 123D (free downloadable software for teacher use)

FreeCAD (free downloadable software for teacher use)

Printer Software:

SMS printer located in main office http://www.mattercontrol.com/

VHS printer located in my office http://3dprinter.sindoh.com/Downloads

Integration Ideas:

So You're a Teacher with a 3D Printer . . . Now What?

7 Fun & Easy Lesson Plans to Jumpstart 3D Printing In Your Classroom