Name: Josie Taylor
School: Kristin School, Auckland
Project: Exhibition 2016
Describe the 3D printing project that you want to be considered for the award?
For our PYP Exhibition 2016, we used our HP Sprout and UP Mini 3D printer to create prototypes and designs that highlighted our chosen issues and possible solutions to these issues.
Why did you choose to use this activity?
We wanted to integrate more technology into our Exhibition unit, a term long personal inquiry related to ‘Sharing the Planet’. It gave students an opportunity to realise ideas and solutions to problems that they could otherwise only describe or draw. It also opened up conversations and learning around 3D printing uses in medical and constructions industries, not just the idea of printing an object.
How did you implement and use it?
We focused on an elective group of 11 students who worked for 6 weeks, using MacBook Air laptops and Tinkercad software. We began by trying out the programme and designing anything for fun, in order to learn how to use the programme – navigation tools, grouping shapes, duplicating etc. We then moved into design with a purpose, and did so by looking at specific, relevant examples such as creating a mold for a jaw replacement surgery, as was in the news. We trialled a few prints for size and quality, before doing final prints of each design. As the printer was new, it took a few jobs to get all the settings perfect. We displayed our printer items at our Exhibition for a full week at the end of September, for the school community to see, and also set the printer to work so other students could see the process.
What outcomes has it achieved for you and your class?
- What is has achieved for our class, and the Year 6 cohort at Kristin, is …
- The ability to realise ideas and designs, and create a tangible item
- Purpose driven – creating something to solve a problem, or make life easier, rather than just an object for the sake of it.
- Creative thinking and manipulation of geometric shapes
- Ability to use 3D design software with confidence and independence (both in creating a new design and tinkering an existing design)
- Greater understanding of the role of 3D printing in other industries, such as medical and architecture.
