This presentation explores how 3D printers can be used in the curriculum.

1. 3D Printing in Education
Leonie McIlvenny

2. “3D printing has the potential
to revolutionize the way we
make almost anything”
Barack Obama, US President
“I see this as nothing
less than the start of a
new “industrial
revolution”
Janne Kyttanen, Freedom of
Creation co-founder

3. Known in industrial circles as rapid prototyping, 3D printing
refers to technologies that construct physical objects from
three-dimensional (3D) digital content such as 3D modeling
software, computer-aided design (CAD) tools, computer-
aided tomography (CAT), and X-ray crystallography. A 3D
printer builds a tangible model or prototype from the
electronic file, one layer at a time, through an extrusion-like
process using plastics and other flexible materials, or an
inkjet-like process to spray a bonding agent onto a very thin
layer of fixable powder. Using different materials and
bonding agents, color can be applied, and parts can be
rendered in plastic, resin, metal, tissue, and even food. This
technology is commonly used in manufacturing to build
prototypes of almost any object that can be conveyed in
three dimensions.
The Horizon Report, 2015

4. Printing
materials

5. Relevance for Teaching, Learning, or Creative Inquiry
One of the most significant aspects of 3D printing for
education is that it enables more authentic exploration of
objects and concepts that may not be readily available to
schools. For math, it can help students visualize graphs and
mathematical models; in geography, 3D printing can help
students better understand geological formations at scale;
and in history, replicas of ancient artifacts can enable more
hands-on learning. Literature classes can also benefit from
the ability to enable a deeper exploration of concepts.
Indeed, 3D printing is a promising new way for artistic
expression and scientific concepts to come together to
encourage STEAM learning.
The Horizon Report K-12, 2015

6. Technology Outlook: STEM + Education 2013-2018
3D printing is relevant in teaching and learning as a way to enable
more authentic exploration of objects that may not be readily
available to teachers and students; it provides a means to let
students handle fragile objects such as fossils and artifacts that can
be fairly quickly prototyped and printed out; and it opens up new
possibilities for learning activities.

7. 3D Printing revolutionising the classroom

8. Linking 3D printing in industries to education
Engineering
and
Construction
Medical and
Dental
Industrial
and Design
Education

9. https://frankdiana.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/disruptive-scenarios.jpg?w=735&h=436
Disruptive technology: the growth of 3D printing

10. The growth of 3D printing
2014 - $3.0B
3D printing as an
emerging industry
with strong
potential
2017 - $9.0B
More commonplace in
many industries, gradually
replacing current
methods. Emerging as an
educational tool
2020 - $21.0B
3D Printing in both home, education and
many industries are the predominant
prototype, model and fabrication method
used.

11. • 3D printers improve CAD software proficiency - students can
now test their designs and evaluate the pro
• 3D printers result in tangible objects for many curricular – these
objects can be used over and over again and provide cheap
models (heart, frog dissection etc.)
• 3D printing can aid in the development of spatial intelligence –
this allows for complex mathematical equation to be made into
tangible objects that can be manipulated
• A 3D model can bridge an important gap – a 3D printed object
held in the hands of the student-designer can bridge the gap
between simple visual perception and three-dimensional spatial
visualisation, and therefore incite a paradigm shift.
What can 3D printing do to help revolutionise learning?

12. • 3D printers are now affordable
• 3D printers introduce students to modern additive manufacturing processes – 3D
printing allows students to experience first hand the design, prototyping and
manufacturing process.
• 3D printing brings real world problems and solutions into the classroom.
• 3D printing allows students to not only learn about innovation, invention, design and
manufacturer but they can now become innovators, inventors, designers and
manufacturers within the realm of the classroom while interacting with and contributing
to a global network of designers.
What can 3D printing do to help revolutionise learning?

13. Preparing students for new
technologies which are becoming
increasingly commonplace in a
diverse range of industries
Supporting innovative and
stimulating ways of teaching STEM
and related subjects
3D printing in the education space

14. Improving levels of pupil motivation when
associated with 3D printing
Enabling links to be made between
mathematics, design and physics similar to
‘sound’ enabling between music and physics.
3D printing in the education space
Providing authentic learning opportunities for
students with ‘real world’ applications

15. ISTE Standards for Students
Innovative Designer
One of these standards, Innovative Designer directly links to the use
of 3D printing as a process which allows students to create
innovative solutions to problems. The skills and knowledge
articulated in this standards are:
Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to
identify and solve problems by creating new, useful or imaginative
solutions.

16. ISTE Standards for Students
Innovative Designer
One of these standards, Innovative Designer directly links to the use of 3D
printing as a process which allows students to create innovative solutions to
problems. The skills and knowledge articulated in this standards are:
Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve
problems by creating new, useful or imaginative solutions.
4a Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing
theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.
4b Students select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that
considers design constraints and calculated risks.
4c Students develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.
4d Students exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work
with open-ended problems.

17. Australian Curriculum

18. Australian Curriculum

19. Australian Curriculum

20. Some current thoughts on 3D printing in schools
Teachers say:
I don’t really
understand how this
ties in to learning
Principals say:
It is expensive and
complicated to
implement
Parents say:
We think it will be
important in the
future
Students say:
This is awesome! I
really wish I could
use a 3D printer

21. 3 contexts for teaching about 3D Printing
Learning about the
affordances of 3D
printing
Learning the
practical skills
related to3D
printing
Designing 3D
objects,
prototyping and
testing

24. Videos that can be used to teach students
about the affordances of 3D Printing

25. Ideally suited to ‘project’ type of
work where learning comes from
an investigation or construction
type project.
Students can develop at their
own pace to the new
technologies of 3D design, CAD
modelling and printing
Students can develop at their
own pace to the new
technologies of 3D design, CAD
modelling and printing

26. Approaches need to
encourage thinking, reasoning
and understanding of their
subject
Encourages cross-curricular
teaching. For example a DT
teacher may assist with a
Maths and Science activity.
Moves pupils away from
practicality of design and
allows more opportunity to
see how Maths and science
are an integral part of the
process.

27. Free Software
Key Software and Lesson Plans
Learning Hardware
Lessons and Projects
Ongoing Support

28. Brainpop 3D Printing Unit

29. Key Software and Lesson Plans

32. Geography models from Thingiverse

33. 3D printed Mathematical models

34. 3D Models from Thingiverse

35. 3D printing technology is advancing at a rapid pace, but it is difficult to find or create 3D-
printable models that are scientifically accurate or medically applicable. The NIH 3D Print
Exchange provides models in formats that are readily compatible with 3D printers, and offers
a unique set of tools to create and share 3D-printable models related to biomedical science.

36. Exploring Lesson Activities

37. Tinkercad

38. Exploring Lesson Activities

39. Exploring Lesson Activities

40. Exploring Lesson Activities

41. STEM Career Pack– 3 D Printing
STEM Career Packs provide teachers with
a sequential set of tasks and information,
including interviews, to take into the
classroom. The Packs are aimed at:
helping students to understand the
nature of scientific knowledge, how
science influences society and how
society influences science (i.e. Australian
Curriculum: Science, Science as a Human
Endeavour

42. STEM Career Pack– 3 D Printing

43. STEM Career Pack– 3 D Printing

44. STEM Career Pack– 3 D Printing

45. Key benefits of 3D Printing in Education
Achievement
General
improvement in
achievement levels.
Assist those with
poor focus to
understand subject
issues.
Insight & Interest
Heightened
interest in subjects
and desire to learn
across all subjects.
Excellent
mechanism for a
STEM approach.
Industry Relevance
A future ‘trade’
tool for many
industries including
medical, dental,
engineering,
construction and
design.
No Limits
Allows more advanced
students to explore their
full potential of learning
as well as support
through a scaffolded
approach those weaker
students.

46. For 3D printing to gain additional traction in schools adequate training is needed to
ensure teachers and students have the digital competency needed to turn their ideas
into reality. In Massachusetts, Sizer School leaders recognized that piloting a 3D
printing program required exposing as many students and teachers as possible to the
new tools, but they did it in a very structured manner. By partnering with NVBOTS, a
company that provides end-to-end 3D printing solutions for schools, Sizer School was
able to administer in-depth training to two teachers and six students so that at least
one student printer-technician and one teacher administrator was present in each
class. This type of training and management was critical to enabling teachers and
students to learn 3D design and printing and incorporate it more seamlessly into
lesson plans. Substantial growth of 3D printing in schools around the world is
anticipated; for example, the Chinese government has created new policy that will
install a 3D printer in nearly 400,00 schools over the next two years.
The Horizon Report K-12 2015

47. Trainer Needs
Training across all subject departments is
likely and may include:
• The need for general CAD skills development,
particularly in non DT departments
• Familisraisation with content, how this links to STEM
elements and the ability to develop learning
strategies
• Printer setup and demonstration by experienced
groups
• Ability to troubleshoot issues with CAD or printers
and ‘keep the class going’
• Off timetable practice periods to experiment and
trial what has been leant
• Managing the printing schedule of a class set of
objects.

48. Technical support on
all aspects of the 3D
Printing experience
as well as links to 3D
printing in industries
Ongoing lesson
plans, tuition and
digital models
The role of a 3D Printing Industry Partner
3D Printing
Service or
printer
Supply
Ongoing
back-up
and
support

49. http://3dprintingforeducation.weebly.com

50. leoniem@westnet.com.au
Questions?