3D Printing, Taking Off!!!

We're just a little over a month into school now, and the Makerspace is really starting to bring students in! Of course, the big attraction thus far has been the 3D printer, and my students are 3D printing like crazy! It has been a very rewarding experience thus far, seeing the students hold their creations, has really allowed for some excellent hands-on learning to take place. In addition, teaching the students how to use the printer, and now allowing them to use the printer when I am not around is fantastic, we have had no issues thus far. The students are taking the privilege very seriously, and are designing some great things. 

While I encourage completely authentic prints, I have allowed them to use templates to create their 3D prints, but the caveat is that they must make it their own, they are not simply allowed to print someone else's design, they have to tinker it and make it their own, then they can print it.

Here are some pictures and videos of what the students have been creating:

 

Starting next week, will be our October challenges! Stay tuned for the monthly and weekly challenges.

Robotics and 3-D Printing

The first challenge of the semester that we posted for the students was to get a robotic car up and running, and the first student to do so wins a Subway lunch combo on Mr. Kern, our CIO and Director of Modern Learning.

Sure enough, within the first two weeks of school, we had a student complete the challenge and win! My student, David, built an operational robotic car using GoPiGo components, a Hummingbird Duo board, and programmed it using Python software.

Here's a video of the car going!

ALSO........

We received our (loaner, ours should come in bout 4-weeks) 3-D printer last week and put it to good use!  The students are extremely excited about the printer and I have a HUGE que of student items waiting to be printed!  We are using a PolyPrinter 229, and thus far it has been working wonderfull.

Over the first few weeks, I had the students check out the 3-D printing design website TinkerCad. I posted a challenge for the students on the windows of the Makerspace, to design a brand new logo for our Makerspace. Each entry will have their 3-D designs printed, we will vote on the best design, and the winner will enjoy a snack pack bucket from me!

I'll post pictures of the prints as we print them.  It is an exciting time to be an Oakridge Owl!