Imagine a classroom where imagination takes shape, not just on paper, but in tangible, three-dimensional forms. At Westbury Christian School, that’s exactly what occurred in one middle school classroom thanks to the WCS Makerspace and the magic of 3D printing.
Mrs. Leeson, the WCS STEM Director, challenged her Middle School Engineering I class to learn a new computer design software and use their skills to create a 3D-printed animal toy. Students learned how to use TinkerCAD, a user-friendly basic computer-aided design (CAD) software that allows students to explore using shapes to create forms in art. The middle school students worked through 12 self-paced lessons to learn to place, view, move, rotate, resize, group, copy, duplicate, hide, align, create holes, and use camera controls.
“We also learn how to focus the screen on particular parts of an object, how to change color, and most importantly how to measure!” explains Leeson.
Before the students were ready to design an animal toy project, Leeson tasked her students to recreate a LEGO piece to serve as a replacement part for their EV3 robotics kits.
“Students have three tries to get the sizing right for the length, width, height, diameter, and spacing of the holes. With each print, they test it out with other pieces in their kits to see how well it matches up and works as a replacement piece. They get to physically determine what they need to do to improve,” Leeson explained.
Armed with their new TinkerCAD skills, students then demonstrated their skills and creativity on an animal toy to 3D print. With just two prints – one for the initial prototype, one for the final masterpiece – they brought their vision to life, line by line, layer by layer. Students and Mrs. Leeson beamed with pride at the final results.
As we watch these students experiment, design, and create, we know that their future is bright!