The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
3D Printing a Bookmark
3D Printing a Bookmark
A 4th-6th grade STEM lesson
Tina Kennedy
1/20/24
Notes for teachers
List of Materials:
Instructional Items:
Standards
ISTE Standards - Use 3D design tools to create prototypes, models and simulations to demonstrate solutions and ideas. 4C, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6C
AZ Math Standards- 4.MD.A, 4.MD.A.1 Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.
NGSS - 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
Day 1 Objectives
Today we will explore 3D printers and the many products they can make.
Today we will explore Tinkercad for 3D printing.
Today we will practice with metric measurements.
Today we will practice adding and changing shape sizes.
Day 2 Objectives
Today we will create in Tinkercad the basic shapes for a bookmark.
Today we will modify and change premade shapes to follow specific constraints.
Today we will practice with metric measurements.
Today we will use the HOLE feature to add your first name and shapes.
Today we will design our own shapes with the SCRIBBLE feature.
Day 3 Objectives
Today we will continue in Tinkercad to finish a bookmark with specific constraints.
Today we will complete combining shapes and text using the HOLE feature to complete our bookmark.
Today we will use the GROUP feature to make individual objects into one merged design.
Today you will recheck your constraints for size and height and make changes if needed.
Today you will share your work with me by joining the Tinkercad Classroom code.
Agenda (45 minutes each class period)
Day 1:
What is a 3D printer?
Videos about 3D printers.
Log into Tinkercad.
Navigate Tinkercad’s homepage and file design page.
Create a practice file to add and adjust the sizes of shapes.
Day 2:
Start a new Tinkercad file to begin the bookmark project.
Add your name using the TEXT shape then use the HOLE feature to remove material.
Add additional shapes using the HOLE feature and adjust sizes as necessary.
Introduce and practice using the SCRIBBLE feature then use the HOLE feature to remove material.
Agenda (45 minutes each class period)
Day 3:
Review Day 2’s directions and students will check their measurements. Make changes as needed.
Make sure your name, shapes, and scribble items used the HOLE feature to remove material from the print.
Group the project into one shape.
Join the teacher’s Tinkercad class code (Link in the Google Classroom).
What is a 3D printer?
Description
Day 1-3 Hands-on Activity Instructions
Google Slides and more details
Hands-On Activity: I create a new Tinkercad Classroom for each class. Once students are logged into Tinkercad, I have students open a link from Tinkercad in my Google Classroom that shares their files with me. By students joining my Tinkercad classroom, I can edit and download their work to an .stl file for 3D printing. In order to print, I use Ultimaker-Cura for my Jellybox printer or Makerbot for my Replicator+ printer to slice the files into a compatible file for the 3D printer. The slicer site will convert my .stl file into a .gcode file automatically. I use a SD Card or USB flash drive to insert into the printer to print.
Remind students there is an UNDO arrow that can retrieve something deleted accidentally or if they distort the shape, using the UNDO button can restore back to previous changes.
Exporting Tips
Students do not email their finished file to me. If students have joined my Tinkercad classroom link I shared in their Google Classroom, the students presses THAT’S ME. I can now see them in my Tinkercad roster and can open a student’s file and edit, make changes if necessary, then EXPORT their file. Export tip: Click/select the grouped object in Tinkercad then when you press EXPORT, choose “The Selected Shape” and .stl option.
Students sometimes have floating shapes outside the blue workplane that are hard to see and random shapes can be downloaded with the print file creating a print error.
Assessment
Differentiation
I find it is helpful not only to present the Slides but I also make a new Tinkercad file and alternate between my Slides and showing them on my projector the directions. That can really help get everyone on the same step again.
Students monitor their neighbors for support as needed. If students are really lost, I ask them to stay on the current direction and I can always come back and help them after.
Absent students can refer to my Screencastify for a video of the directions. I have two, 5-minute videos I share in my Google Classroom for reference.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
If students finish early, I ask them to be a teacher helper for students that need help while I am with other students.
If students do not need help, I have students reopen the PRACTICE file to make more changes and additional shapes/holes to their file.
Resources