Journeys in 3D Printing

MZOU2845 from Emma Watts on Vimeo.

Our 3D printers arrived at the end of last term and sat waiting to be opened when the new DATS room (aka makerspace) opened!  It was very hard to wait!  So the new term arrived and the keys were handed over - the boxes were finally opened!

Set up instructions on the Ultimaker website were eagerly followed and with some troubling shooting support with Tim from Mindkits, our two new our 3D printers made their first test print.

MY NEXT GOALS IN OUR 3D PRINTING JOURNEY

Goal 1 - meaningful purposes for printing
At Shotover Primary School we've been exploring how design thinking links with our inquiry model (see diagram below).   I've also had awesome support via twitter from Myles Webb who kindly shared his blog which if full of practical examples of 3D printing in school.

As I set up the 3D printers, I'd started reading the new book Launch: Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in All Students by John Spencer & AJ Juliani. I love how the first step within their design thinking cycle is about "...a sense of wonder at a process or an awareness of a problem or a sense of empathy toward an audience." I'm really keen for our learners at Shotover Primary School to use their wonder, awareness and empathy to create meaningful purposes for 3D printing.

 

I'm passionate about sustainable resourcing. During my research into 3D printing I decided that we would initially use PLA filament. It is made from cornstarch and is a bi-product of milk.

PLA is non-toxic, so no ventilation is needed (to avoid fumes). It can be composted in a ‘good hot’ compost (40-60°). It takes approximately 18 weeks to break down, and by 20-24 weeks it should be completely broken down. (Another big shout out to Tim who helped me with my research into 3D printers!)

I love how accessible 3D printing is and it is great to have the ability to print multiple prototypes before the final print or product yet I'm also passionate about "intelligent failure" or "thinking before printing".

I read an interesting article at the weekend from Mindshift "Why Understanding These Four Types of Mistakes Can Help Us Learn" which linked in beautifully for me to "intelligent failure". Alongside 'grit' and a 'growth mindset' making mistakes (can I say a 'mindful mistakes') is an important capacity (a key competency or life skill) for us all to develop.  Being mindful helps us to use our resources sustainably.  I'm currently working with a small group of learners on creating mechanisms as part of their concept learning (inquiry).  We have even been unpacking the concept of sustainable resourcing with our recycled cardboard boxes, BBQ sticks, straws and low melt glue!

Goal 2 - students creating own designs 
I'm currently teaching myself to use Tinkercad. I've lots of questions around using Tinkercad with our students: student individual accounts or a class account?  Within their terms of use is a class account viable? Is a class account developing our students digital citizenship?

According to Tinkercad's terms of use, under 13s need parent permission.  I keen to touch base with other schools to see how they are using either Tinkercad or other open software to create their 3D designs.