week 4- 3D printing
Yesterday I had a student ask me if I had printed a piece of paper with a 3D printer. This got me thinking about using a 3D printer in Kindergarten classrooms.
In a simple Google search I found a plethora of resources on how to incorporate 3d printers in to the classroom. Ideas included designing custom artwork frames. This allows students to practice their geometry skills and calculate measurements, weights, and balance. As an extension students can create decorations that can be snapped on and off the frame to create a fully customized display.
3d printers also allow teachers to cross curriculum. An example of this is by having students design and print out different catapult designs and predicting and testing their ability to launch projectiles. Another use of 3d printers is to assign students a real world problem to solve. Students would use the 3d printer to create gadgets that would help solve everyday problems like saving a child or dog locked in a hot car.
3d printers can also used to print physical maps to help students learn about geography. By doing this students would be able to explore the 2d rendition on paper and have to understand it so well that they are able to input the information accurately enough to get a 3d rendering. With the 3d model students are able to touch and feel the differences in terrain on a certain piece of geography like a mountain.
While 3d printing has many applications in science it has just as many in math. Some fun ones I found were teaching fractions and area, writing equation, and finding volume.
In my research I found that a small 3d printer can be in the $200 range, while a larger one could be up to $3,500.
http://www.weareteachers.com/3d-printing-math-science/
In a simple Google search I found a plethora of resources on how to incorporate 3d printers in to the classroom. Ideas included designing custom artwork frames. This allows students to practice their geometry skills and calculate measurements, weights, and balance. As an extension students can create decorations that can be snapped on and off the frame to create a fully customized display.
3d printers also allow teachers to cross curriculum. An example of this is by having students design and print out different catapult designs and predicting and testing their ability to launch projectiles. Another use of 3d printers is to assign students a real world problem to solve. Students would use the 3d printer to create gadgets that would help solve everyday problems like saving a child or dog locked in a hot car.
3d printers can also used to print physical maps to help students learn about geography. By doing this students would be able to explore the 2d rendition on paper and have to understand it so well that they are able to input the information accurately enough to get a 3d rendering. With the 3d model students are able to touch and feel the differences in terrain on a certain piece of geography like a mountain.
While 3d printing has many applications in science it has just as many in math. Some fun ones I found were teaching fractions and area, writing equation, and finding volume.
In my research I found that a small 3d printer can be in the $200 range, while a larger one could be up to $3,500.
http://www.weareteachers.com/3d-printing-math-science/
I have been wanting to get into 3D printing with the kids for awhile now. A teacher in our school won one last year at ASTE. I don't believe the other teachers have incorporated it yet into any lessons. I really liked the website that you shared. The idea that I really liked was making the fraction pie chart. This has motivated me to get with it and try it out. I think it would be something that I would incorporate into my unit for this class.
ReplyDeleteI have also been thinking about getting a 3D printer. I almost purchased one a few years ago when I was teaching first grade. I love the idea of printing frames that students' design using geometry and measurements. I know they would be fascinated to watch it come to life! I haven't researched 3D printers since I almost purchased one, but now I am interested to see how I could use it in my class. I also wonder about how often I'd have to replenish the printing filament and the cost of it.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this piece of technology is one that could be used in almost any classroom, and would therefore be a great investment for any school. For English, I could have students design and print a symbol for a character in a text we've read. It seems like it would definitely keep the kids engaged!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog on 3d printing. I have one in my office. I have printed a few items, but have found the humidity in Southeast can hurt the filaments used in printing. And my print resolution seems to be off. I will keep experimenting.
ReplyDeleteI think 3D printing is something we will hear more about in the future & it will probably only become less expensive and more commonly used. It would definitely be good to expose students to it in any context/subject so that they are familiar with how to use it!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of printing a mountain so the children can feel the contours and learn about geography that way. I have yet to see one in action first hand. Did you get one for your class? They must be expensive. It is a great piece of technology! Tracy
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