3D printer for Penn Trafford

From Rick Steele......

            In an effort to keep my middle school classes at the forefront of technology, I am constantly looking for ways to add relevance, engagement, and excitement. It can be very difficult for students to visualize an item they have drawn, on the computer, as 3 dimensional.  By using a 3d printer, that student can now hold the item they've created in their hand. Not only can they see what it looks like, it can be an actual functioning item.  This proves to the students that the things we spend so much time drawing are actually real pieces and/or parts, which are used every day in the real world. Being able to create their very own part or object would be extremely exciting. Seeing something take shape on the computer screen and then actually printed in high strength plastic is something that many of these students could only imagine.  There are a multitude of things that can be printed on a 3D printer. The primary use of the printer would be in my Design and Modeling class at the middle school. This is an entry-level course and this type of printer offers a unique opportunity to use tools and machines that they will see during their years at the high school, college as well as in industry. After introducing the students to what a 3 D printer is and how it can be used, they would then be able to draw a small simple part or object that would be printed to see the real life functionality of the product. As a culminating project, the students will create an object/invention and make a prototype. This will be an involved engineering type project, which will involve all facets of the class. They will be required to use AutoDesk Inventor as well as the engineering design process to create their product. We are looking to purchase a MakerBot Replicator 3d printer.

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Rick Steele
Technology Education Teacher
Penn-Trafford School District