Introduction to 3D printing - Maker's Empire
Introduction to3D Printing
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Explain what 3D printing is;
2. Critique the need and opportunities for designing with this technology;
3. Develop a graphical representation of a 3D object using design software;
4. Safely print an object using a 3D printer.
Assessment
•Contributions to group and class discussion activities
•Graphical representation and 3D print of a key chain/pendant
- Manipulation and placement of at least 2 separate shapes to create a single 3D solid
•Completed Worksheet
Preparation
•Print some 3D printed objects to be handed around
•Index Cards for student groups to write questions
•Maker’s Empire app installed on tablets (iPad/Android) for students and teachers
•Wireless internet
•Overhead projector to connect to teacher iPad for software demonstration
•Print Worksheet - 1 per a student
•Print Worksheet answer sheet - 1 per teacher
•Print Lesson Plan to follow - 1 per teacher
•Working 3D printer
•Laptop connected to 3D printer
Lesson Plan | Year 7 | 2 hours | ~25 students
4 | LESSON PLAN
Plan
TIME
STUDENT TASKS
RESOURCES / SUPPORTS
Setup:
Students are shown the 3D printerand some 3D printed objects are passed around,
DO NOT give a detailed explanation of 3D printing, the idea is for students to discover this in the next task.
Teacher
Selection of printed objects
QandA:
In groups of 4 come up with a questions about 3D printing
Organise into groups
Index cards and pencil for studentsto write questions
Collect student questions written on index cards.
Ask students if they can answer the questions.
Teacher answers questions that they can, unanswered questions to be used in
Worksheet.
Software Demonstration:
Demonstrate the Maker’s Empire app usingan overhead projector.
Show very basic overview of ‘Shaper’module:
a) how to create new object
b) move shapes etc
c) ask questions to encourage thinking:
- what happens if you put a shape in the air?
- how can you create a circle for your pendant?
Projector and iPad to showhands-on demo
LESSON PLAN | 5
TIME
STUDENT TASKS
RESOURCES / SUPPORTS
0:40 - 1:30
Create:
Develop a keychain/pendant design using tablets. Create two or more designs
Student tablets (iPad/Android) with app installed and working
Observe 3D Printer:
A design is sent to the printer. Students come up in groups for 3-5min to get a closer look at the printer in action.
Watch the 3D printing process and identify health and safety, environmental and sustainability considerations.
Working 3D printer
(could also have a camera feed to project this for better view)
Worksheet Activities:
Student complete Worksheet
•Add unanswered questions from earlier in the lesson
• Search online to find images and videos about 3D printing - list the URL of 2 good resources
•What could this printer make?
•What couldn’t this printer make?
•How are most plastic things made at the moment?
•How could 3D printing change manufacturing, our lives and the environment?
• Terminology find-a-word
Printed copies of the Worksheet
Student access to the internet.
1
6 | LESSON PLAN
Introduction to
3D Printing
•How else could you make this keychain?
•Ask students about their designs and reflect each other’s design?
•How and where are keychains you buy at a shop manufactured?
•What impact could 3D printing have on the manufacturing industry locally, nationally and globally?
•What materials (plastic, wood, metal etc) could be printed? Why?
•What social impact could this technology have? (copyright, IP, weapons, jobs)
Extension Discussion Points
Design and Technology (Level 7/8)
•Examine and prioritise competing factors including social, ethical and sustainability considerations in the devel-
opment of technologies and designed solutions to meet community needs for preferred futures (ACTDEK029)
•Investigate the ways in which products, services and environments evolve locally, regionally and globally
through the creativity, innovation and enterprise of individuals and groups (ACTDEK030)Analyse ways to produce
designed solutions through selecting and combining characteristics and properties of materials, systems,
components, tools and equipment (ACTDEK034)
•Critique needs or opportunities for designing and investigate, analyse and select from a range of materials,
components, tools, equipment and processes to develop design ideas (ACTDEP035)
•Generate, develop, test and communicate design ideas, plans and processes for various audiences using
appropriate technical terms and technologies including graphical representation techniques (ACTDEP036)
•Effectively and safely use a broad range of materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to make
designed solutions (ACTDEP037)
Applicable Australian Curriculum Content Descriptions
LESSON PLAN | 7
ICT capability (Level 5)
Identify the impacts of ICT in society
•explain the benefits and risks of the use of ICT for particular people in work and home environments
Locate, generate and access data and information
•locate, retrieve or generate information using search facilities and organise information in meaningful ways
Select and evaluate data and information
•assess the suitability of data or information using appropriate own criteria
Generate solutions to challenges and learning area tasks
•design and modify simple digital solutions, or multimodal creative outputs or data transformations for particular
audiences and purposes following recognised conventions
Select and use hardware and software
•independently select and operate a range of devices by adjusting relevant software functions to suit specific tasks,
and independently use common troubleshooting procedures to solve routine malfunctions
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Explain what 3D printing is;
2. Critique the need and opportunities for designing with this technology;
3. Develop a graphical representation of a 3D object using design software;
4. Safely print an object using a 3D printer.
Assessment
•Contributions to group and class discussion activities
•Graphical representation and 3D print of a key chain/pendant
- Manipulation and placement of at least 2 separate shapes to create a single 3D solid
•Completed Worksheet
Preparation
•Print some 3D printed objects to be handed around
•Index Cards for student groups to write questions
•Maker’s Empire app installed on tablets (iPad/Android) for students and teachers
•Wireless internet
•Overhead projector to connect to teacher iPad for software demonstration
•Print Worksheet - 1 per a student
•Print Worksheet answer sheet - 1 per teacher
•Print Lesson Plan to follow - 1 per teacher
•Working 3D printer
•Laptop connected to 3D printer
Lesson Plan | Year 7 | 2 hours | ~25 students
4 | LESSON PLAN
Plan
TIME
STUDENT TASKS
RESOURCES / SUPPORTS
Setup:
Students are shown the 3D printerand some 3D printed objects are passed around,
DO NOT give a detailed explanation of 3D printing, the idea is for students to discover this in the next task.
Teacher
Selection of printed objects
QandA:
In groups of 4 come up with a questions about 3D printing
Organise into groups
Index cards and pencil for studentsto write questions
Collect student questions written on index cards.
Ask students if they can answer the questions.
Teacher answers questions that they can, unanswered questions to be used in
Worksheet.
Software Demonstration:
Demonstrate the Maker’s Empire app usingan overhead projector.
Show very basic overview of ‘Shaper’module:
a) how to create new object
b) move shapes etc
c) ask questions to encourage thinking:
- what happens if you put a shape in the air?
- how can you create a circle for your pendant?
Projector and iPad to showhands-on demo
LESSON PLAN | 5
TIME
STUDENT TASKS
RESOURCES / SUPPORTS
0:40 - 1:30
Create:
Develop a keychain/pendant design using tablets. Create two or more designs
Student tablets (iPad/Android) with app installed and working
Observe 3D Printer:
A design is sent to the printer. Students come up in groups for 3-5min to get a closer look at the printer in action.
Watch the 3D printing process and identify health and safety, environmental and sustainability considerations.
Working 3D printer
(could also have a camera feed to project this for better view)
Worksheet Activities:
Student complete Worksheet
•Add unanswered questions from earlier in the lesson
• Search online to find images and videos about 3D printing - list the URL of 2 good resources
•What could this printer make?
•What couldn’t this printer make?
•How are most plastic things made at the moment?
•How could 3D printing change manufacturing, our lives and the environment?
• Terminology find-a-word
Printed copies of the Worksheet
Student access to the internet.
1
6 | LESSON PLAN
Introduction to
3D Printing
•How else could you make this keychain?
•Ask students about their designs and reflect each other’s design?
•How and where are keychains you buy at a shop manufactured?
•What impact could 3D printing have on the manufacturing industry locally, nationally and globally?
•What materials (plastic, wood, metal etc) could be printed? Why?
•What social impact could this technology have? (copyright, IP, weapons, jobs)
Extension Discussion Points
Design and Technology (Level 7/8)
•Examine and prioritise competing factors including social, ethical and sustainability considerations in the devel-
opment of technologies and designed solutions to meet community needs for preferred futures (ACTDEK029)
•Investigate the ways in which products, services and environments evolve locally, regionally and globally
through the creativity, innovation and enterprise of individuals and groups (ACTDEK030)Analyse ways to produce
designed solutions through selecting and combining characteristics and properties of materials, systems,
components, tools and equipment (ACTDEK034)
•Critique needs or opportunities for designing and investigate, analyse and select from a range of materials,
components, tools, equipment and processes to develop design ideas (ACTDEP035)
•Generate, develop, test and communicate design ideas, plans and processes for various audiences using
appropriate technical terms and technologies including graphical representation techniques (ACTDEP036)
•Effectively and safely use a broad range of materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to make
designed solutions (ACTDEP037)
Applicable Australian Curriculum Content Descriptions
LESSON PLAN | 7
ICT capability (Level 5)
Identify the impacts of ICT in society
•explain the benefits and risks of the use of ICT for particular people in work and home environments
Locate, generate and access data and information
•locate, retrieve or generate information using search facilities and organise information in meaningful ways
Select and evaluate data and information
•assess the suitability of data or information using appropriate own criteria
Generate solutions to challenges and learning area tasks
•design and modify simple digital solutions, or multimodal creative outputs or data transformations for particular
audiences and purposes following recognised conventions
Select and use hardware and software
•independently select and operate a range of devices by adjusting relevant software functions to suit specific tasks,
and independently use common troubleshooting procedures to solve routine malfunctions