The Build Your Vision Project: Lesson 1 -Introduction

Objectives:

• In this lesson students will be introduced to the Build Your Vision Project
• Students will learn about the project objectives (to create a prototype for prescription eyeglasses using 3D printing), what programs they will be using: the 2D Vector Program Boxy SVG and the 3D CAD program Tinkercad
• Students will start the program by interaction with the Boxy SVG interface
• Students will learn the following definitions: Vector, Path and Anchor Point,
• Students will learn the following skills: Introduction to the Boxy SVG interface; the Tool Menu, Panels, Drop-down Menu Options, Saving files, Opening and Closing Files
• If there is no time to begin the interaction with the graphics editing program spend more time researching glasses designs and the impact of 3D printing using resources from Anticipatory Set and Activity 1

Conceptual Background:

• Vector graphics programs are the use of polygons to represent images in computer graphics. Vectors are created through nodes called control points, with positions laid out on the x and y axes. Paths and objects are created by mapping vector locations. Objects can have attributes assigned such as stroke, color, shape, curve and thickness.
• Curves are precise and do not pixelate when resized larger or smaller. They will maintain their shape.
• Vector graphics programs have powerful and relatively easy-to-use drawing tools that CAD programs do not. A good workflow to create customized, intricate 3D objects (such as eye glasses) is to create a template graphic of an object, or pieces of an object in a 2D vector program, import the graphic into a 3D CAD program, and build it into a solid 3D model that can then be 3D printed.
• For this project, students will learn the 2D vector graphics program Boxy SVG. This program has precise and easy-to-use drawing tools.
• Students will work through a tutorial manual complete with all necessary exercises to learn the vector program, as well as several projects as they work towards learning how to create the eye-glasses design.
• By the end of each tutorial, students should be able to provide a basic definition of most of the Key Learning Points located at the top of the page in the tutorial introduction.
• The Build Your Vision curriculum schedule and outline is available here:

Standards

HS-ETS1-1 Engineering Design: Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

HS-ETS1-2 Engineering Design: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering

HS-ETS1-3 Engineering Design:Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Materials:

• Student Chrome books
• Projector
• Computer for teacher
• PowerPoint slide presentation BYV Lesson 1
• Student drawing materials and notebook/paper
• Build Your Vision Tutorial Manual: Navigate here to view. Students will work through the Introduction, Part 1: Introducing Graphic Editing Programs and Vectors, Tutorials at a Glance and Tutorial 1: Getting Started with Boxy SVG

Anticipatory Set:

Timing: 10 minutes

• To engage student interest, show the video: Will 3D Printing Change the World?
• Students will write 2-3 sentences on how they think 3D printing might be used to create eyeglasses and why it should be used to do so (i.e. 3D printers can be used to lower the cost, reach more people in developing nations etc)
• Students will create a quick sketch of a pair of eyeglasses

Activity 1:

Timing: 10 minutes

Materials:

• Slide presentation
• Computer
• Projector

Teaching

• Work through the slide presentation BYV Lesson 1 with students to introduce the Build Your Vision project and scope
• Detail the course agenda: learning 2D vector graphics to create templates for customized, intricate 3D objects and key course objects: learn to create graphics using the 2 Dimensional vector program Boxy SVG, learn the concepts of 3D space and design using Tinkercad, learn how to create successful 3D models and troubleshoot common 3D printing problems

Activity 2:

Timing: 25 minutes

Materials:

• Student Chrome Books
• Student Build Your Vision Tutorial Manual

Teaching:

• Instruct students to open the tutorial manual Build Your Vision
• Students will read Part 1: Graphic Editing Programs and Vectors
• Students will work through Tutorial 1: Getting Started with Boxy SVG and explore and interact with the graphic editor interface
• Instruct students to read through the tutorial they are working on before beginning in order to get a sense of what they will be learning as they work

Check for Understanding

• The teacher will walk around the room and ensure students are able to open the tutorial manual and successfully download and install Boxy SVG and trouble-shoot any issues/questions that arise

Recap and Wrap-Up:

Timing: 5 minutes

• Instruct students to note their progress, save their work if needed and close their computers
• Ask the class the following questions to check for understanding or have students discuss in pairs: 1) What is a vector? 2) What is a path? 3) What is an Anchor Point?