Making Elementary Classrooms More Engaging
I may not say anything new when claiming that school is a bit bland. For example, I distinctly remembered taking a history class that was very dry and uninteresting. Afterward, when I got home, there was a documentary on the TV, about the very same subject. The documentary captivated me, and to this day I can remember most of it. Unless you are dealing with a large degree of abstraction, most lessons (especially in elementary school) are very interesting. The problem comes from the presentation, and the challenge will be to spice up lessons using technology.
College essay writing services have seen an increase in traffic lately, as more and more students are checked out mentally, and they are not emotionally invested in subjects. Getting a degree has just become another item on life’s checklist. This apathy occurs even as early as elementary school, not just with college students. That being said, let’s take a look at some ways to enhance education through 3d printer classroom projects.
What is 3D Printing?
When it comes to 3D printing, the name is rather suggestive. With the aid of a printer, the user can obtain fully 3D objects. Unlike more traditional methods, 3D printers do not sculpt the material (usually plastic), rather, they build the figure from the ground. Layer by layer, the material and stacked and formed, as opposed to having a large block at the start, and then whittling it down to the final product. Of course, this greatly reduces wasted material. Usually, when 3D sculpting, you are left with piles of shavings at the end. Those shavings cause waste and pollution. The most popular materials aside from plastics are resins, metals, and ceramics.
Designing Your 3D Model
For most people, this is the hardest part. Thankfully, you will use pre-made designs most of the time. However, you will always have the option of downloading 3D models from different 3D printer libraries like Thingiverse and Myminifactory. 3D printing projects for elementary students will demand certain expertise from you, namely understanding how to use CAD software for kids as well as how to use 3D slicer. CAD software is helpful in creating both simple and complex models and a 3D slicer is a software feature that takes the 3D model that you designed and translates it so that the printer understands. It lets you “talk” to the printer by showing it what you want and converting an STL format into G-Code. The program usually takes your design and splits it into manageable layers. The printing process is structured on this layered approach most of the time. A majority of modern software has both toolsets, namely the part that lets you 3D design, and the slicer for coordinating the printer. A good example of such software is SelfCAD.
SelfCAD is a 3D modeling software for both beginners and professionals in 3D modeling. It’s a great program for kids as they can get started with much ease. It comes with shape generators that students can take and transform into great 3D models. There are also powerful 3D sculpture tools that are helpful in creating organic shapes by using sculpting brushes. Moreover, SelfCAD is a powerful 3D rendering software. It comes with a powerful rendering engine that you can use to generate realistic renders of your designs with ease.
Having looked at designing 3D models, let’s now have a look at the examples of models that can make elementary lessons more engaging.
Examples of Models
Now that we’ve got generalized ideas and concepts out of the day, let’s look at some concrete model examples:
1) Robin Hood
Author: James Arthur Woodford
Download: Here
Robin Hood has transcended his status as a mere historical figure. The name has become synonymous with archery, bravery, and fighting for fairness. The artist went to great lengths to research what a historical Robin Hood would look like. The model is wearing period-realistic clothing and weaponry. It originates back in 1949, celebrating Nottingham’s 500 anniversary. The sculpture's total height is 7ft, and it was printed by more than 450 people. When it comes to 3d printing in the classroom, this model is a sound choice. Children will love the story of one of history’s greatest plucky underdogs.
2) Head of Michelangelo's David
Artist: Michelangelo
Download: Here
Many would argue that Michelangelo was the best artist that Europe ever produced. His David, first and foremost, is one of the most beautiful sculptures that you will ever see. Also, on top of that, it is a piece of European and world history. Simply looking at David is a history lesson in itself. The artist was famous for making solid rock look like human skin or transparent cloth. The degree of mastery boggles the mind. This particular model was printed by 48,777 people, and users also have the option of printing the entire David statue, not just the bust.
Children have a lot to learn, given that the birth of modern society has its roots in the Renaissance. Everyone child can learn a bit of history, and some may even be pushed towards a career in the arts. In terms of making the bust, the process was easy given that it is a scan of the original marble masterpiece.
3) Thor
Published by: Surt Studio
Download: Here
One wonders how many elementary school children think of Chris Hemsworth’s Marvel Comics character when they hear the word “Thor”. It would be a great history lesson to teach them about the actual Thor from Norse paganism. Similar to dinosaurs, Viking Gods are just cool, and that “cool” factor will keep students interested. Unlike the David, this isn’t inspired by any authentic medieval art, but more of an artist’s representation of the archetype. This model was viewed and downloaded more that 3600 times.
4) Odin
Published by: Surt Studio
Download: Here
If you are going to have Thor, you may as well have Odin. The Father of the Gods in the Norse pantheon, Odin was also the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s Gandalf. Also, the fact that he has ravens will be a good conversation starter. Vikings are one of the most crucial parts of European history, and their exploits are often endlessly fascinating. Mythology is a great way to get kids hooked on actual history. This current model was viewed more than 21,000 times.
5) Julius Caesar
Published by: Iain Lovecraft
Download: Here
Few people in human history were as influential and as impactful. Julius Caesar took the reins of power in a Roman Empire that was tearing itself apart with civil wars. In fact, from his life onwards, his name became a title. All emperors adopted the word “Caesar” to describe them. Cesar is a linchpin of history, featured heavily in pop culture, and became the template of the ideal emperor in the ancient world. Entire 3D printing education projects can be centered around this bust. Rome laid the groundwork for modern civilization, and Caesar is arguably the most famous Roman. The lesson plan writes itself. This current model has been viewed more than 6000 times, and it can be easily incorporated into multiple 3d printing education projects.
6) Triceratops Prorsus Skeleton
Published by: Rogar Kersoe
Download: Here
In case I haven’t typed it enough times already: dinosaurs are cool. Young boys will find this Triceratops model especially interesting. Even as an adult, the thought that the Earth once hosted building-sized giant lizards is fascinating. Kids generally adore anything related to dinosaurs, so feel free to structure your lesson in biology around this fascination. This current model isn’t something special, but rather just a generic triceratops. It was printed nearly 14,000 times.
7) Wooly Mammoth Skeleton
Published by: Rogar Kersoe
Download: Here
No matter what the Flintstones say, dinosaurs and people never met. Dinos existed tens of millions of years before the first humans. However, Wooly Mammoths are way more recent. Our ancestors got to see these creatures with their own eyes. Similar to other things with a “cool” factor (pun intended), these things will draw kids just by being interesting. At least 4522 times this model was downloaded.
8) Articulated Figure
Published by: Evavoo
Download: Here
An articulated figure of the human body has many uses in the classroom. You can use it for biology, to calculate the scale of larger objects, or even to demonstrate postures. The model has 10 points of articulation and represents a blank slate for whatever lesson you have planned. This figure can come in handy during physics or biology lessons. It has nearly 8.5k downloads and printings.
9) Human Brain
Published by: Vaclav Krmela
Download: Here
Here’s an interesting fact: the human brain is the most complicated physical structure in the Universe (that we know of). We haven’t yet found a more complicated arrangement of particles and atoms. This model was not designed. It is an actual MRI scan brought to life. It can have a very long life in the classroom, especially in anatomy class. It has nearly 4,5k downloads and 22,6k views.
10) Mini Tank
Published by: Mugambi Ndwiga
Download: Here
What if we put a gun on a tractor? That was the basic idea that birthed the first tank. The model is not a real-life tank, in particular, it represents a generic 20th-century armored combat vehicle. Of course, you can use this model for history lessons. Or you can just give them out as gifts to the boys. Similar to dinosaurs, Viking gods, and ancient ice mammoths, you don’t have to struggle to convince children to be interested in this model. Printing ideas will only work if they manage to attract the attention of a student.
The model is just a generic tank, with no special history behind it.
The number of downloads is 159 times.
Conclusion
According to Denver7, learning was once reserved for the rich and powerful. Books were copied by hand, thus they were extremely expensive. That all changed when the printing press was invented. Suddenly, writing became dirt cheap, and books were a commodity anyone could afford. What the printing press did for writing, 3D printers are doing for didactic material. It has become easier to show examples, and keep the student’s interest in the topics at hand. 3D printing is cheap and reliable, and it allows you to enhance any lesson.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
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