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3D Pen Challenge, an Introduction into 3D Printing

A K-2nd Grade STEM Lesson

Crystal Rodriguez

June 2023

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Notes for Teachers

In this lesson, students will be introduced to 3D printing. Students will be put into groups and challenged to engineer a structure using a 3D pen. Whichever structure is both the tallest and strongest without falling over will win the competition.

List of Materials

Chromebooks
Pencil
Worksheet (hypothesis, draw design of structure, observation, measurement, and conclusion statement)
3D pens with extra filament
3D Pen mat
Ruler

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Standards

Engineering:

K-2-ETS1-1

Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

ELA:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.B

Build on others' talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.

Ed Technology:

K-2.4.b. Students, with guidance, use age appropriate digital and/or non digital tools to describe the steps in a design process.

K-2.4.c. Students, with guidance, use a design process to develop ideas or creations, test their design, and redesign as necessary.

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Objective(s):

“I can use higher-level thinking skills to make predictions in order to form a hypothesis, record materials, observations, results, and analyze structures to determine the key to building the tallest tower”.

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Agenda (60 minutes)

Introduction: How to use 3D pen, with video (15 min)
Explain lesson and go over any questions - share video in Google Classroom for reference
Group together and come up with a hypothesis and draw your design out (5 min)
Engineering of structure (timed 20 min)
Presentation of structures (15 min)

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

How to Use a 3D Pen

How does a 3D pen work?

There are two types of 3D pens available in the market–hot and cold 3D pens. Both use different mechanisms to extrude liquid filaments that solidify upon extrusion.

Users can create designs on a surface in 2D or lift their 3D pen while extruding to draw up in 3D.

**We will be using the brand MYNT3D Super 3D Pen

Challenge: Engineer the tallest and strongest tower (structure) with the time given

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Students will discuss how to build a sturdy, tall structure with their partners, their teacher, and and their peers.
Students will attempt to build the tallest structure. Students will gather information, discuss their results and then attempt to develop an improved tower.
Students will analyze and synthesize information to determine the key to building a tall structure.
Students will construct their structure either on their template separately or build up (no right or wrong way).
Students will present to the class their final project with completed worksheet.

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Assessment

Each group will present their completed structure and go over all questions and their answers.
Ask students for feedback after presenting on what makes a tower sturdy enough to be tall. *A good foundation.
Collect completed worksheet (1 per group) for graded assessment on PBL

**Worksheet will consist of the following: hypothesis, draw design of structure, observation, measurement, and conclusion statement.

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Differentiation

Students with particular modifications or accommodations will be grouped with high level students for extra support and will have additional vocabulary sheets and sentence stems for worksheet.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

If time allows for early finishers, students can attempt to build a bridge using the same materials coming off their structure. Sturdiness can be tested by using pennies. Students will make a hypothesis based on how many pennies they think that their bridge will be able to hold. Students will record observations, data, and conclusions.