3D Printing and Education

3D printing is a great tool for encouraging STEAM learning in students, as well as opening up possibilities for new educational avenues in the classroom. 3D printers allow students to experience the modeling stages of the design process and understand its additive manufacturing process, where objects are built layer-by-layer. By allowing students to rapid-prototype their designs in real-time, 3D printing provides a new template for engineering design and manufacturing right in the classroom.

As 3D printing is a relatively new technology, when students can become early-adopters, they will have future advantages as 3D printing and manufacturing becomes more widespread. Educational considerations are beginning to use tools such as 3D printers and modeling programs to allow students to experiment with creativity, design and engineering concepts. Furthermore, 3D printing can provide students with a meaningful learning experience, as they conceive, design and create their own 3D objects, and end up with a tangible item they can take home.

There is room for creativity and trouble-shooting in every aspect of the design project, teaching students persistence and how to deal with model failure, and learning to develop creative solutions. Students begin at the conceptual stage, and use their skills and creativity to troubleshoot common design problems, such as material breakage or print failure, in order to create a successful model. Furthermore, by allowing students to create their own 3D models, 3D printers and printing can be used to personalize lessons, and motivate students to invest in their own learning experiences.

As a hands-on technology, 3D Printing can be used for students from Kindergarten through to High School. Older students can learn about Computer Aided Design (CAD), and the 3D printing process. This process includes learning about materials -their strengths, weaknesses and suitability to different prints, as well entrepreneurship and product development through creating different 3D outputs from conception to the print stage.

Younger students can engage with 3D printing by simply learning about 3D space, and experimenting with craft supplies such as cardboard, glue and markers to learn how to create 3D objects from a 2D conceptual drawing. Their lessons can include design concepts, and the need for structural creativity in 3D printing, technical communication essentials, and the process of taking a 2D design and translating it to a successful 3D print, without necessarily needing access to a computer in the beginning stages.