3D Printing – Introductory Lesson – Keychain Design
Subject area(s): mathematics, science, technology, engineering, design
Grade levels: 4 - 12
Objective(s): Student learning outcomes include:
•Applying real world experiences to come up with solutions for everyday life.
•Solving real world mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.
•Using a variety of age-appropriate technologies to communicate and exchange ideas.
•Explaining and demonstrating how specialized technology tools can be used for problem solving, decision
making, and creativity in all subject areas.
•Designing and developing a graphical representation of a 3-D model using CAD design software.
•Safely printing an object using a 3-D printer
3D Printing Lesson 1: Personalized Keychain
Assessment (both informal and formal means):
•Collaborate with and contribute to small group and whole class discussions and activities.
•Progression of object design (progress monitoring of each sketch, draft, etc.)
•Graphical representation and 3-D print of an object.
•Design software file saved to student portfolio.
Materials needed for this project:
*Computer(s) with a 3D/CAD software program installed (suggestions: Tinkercad, or 3D Tin. There are a
lot out there, so choose something you are comfortable using with your students)
*Projector and Screen
*A 3D printer
*Software for your 3D printer installed
*Filament for your 3D printer
3D Printing Project: Name Keychains
Starting out:
Your students will need to have the 3D / CAD software program open before you begin.
You may wish to have your screen displayed via a projector so that students may follow along as you go, or
conduct this activity in a small group setting.
3D Printing Project: Name Keychains
First step after opening the software/app: Exploring the program:
Day 1:
Students will need some exploration time with this new technology. If this is their first time utilizing the
program, you may wish to show a few tutorial videos (easily found online depending upon the program you
chose to work with) first. Taking notes is a good idea for those that need to record the steps to refer back to
later.
After exploration time, draw out the key features of the program. Have a class discussion about the various
tools and features they discovered during their exploration time. For example, how to change the size of the
object, shape, add to or subtract from the design, change the view of the object, add text, etc.
The first lesson before creating their name keychain is to figure out how to draw shapes and add text in the
program. Have students show that they cannot only do those things, but then change the size to fit your 3D
printer’s printed (or to the pre-determined size you chose for this project). For example,
their name keychain design that does not exceed 4 inches in length, width, or height.
DAY 2:
Students will need to download the file in the format your printer can read. There are different printing file
formats: stl, .svg, vrml, obj, etc.
Depending upon the CAD program you are using, your students will save their file to the desktop of their
computer.
Import the file into your 3D printing software and click print.
For reference, here are instructions on creating a nametag through Tinkercad.
1.Sign in to your account at: www.tinkercad.com
*Accounts are free
2. Once signed in, click “Create New Design”.
3. You are taken to a new “work-plane” screen. Select the shape tool at the top right side of the screen.
4. Choose the cube and drag it down onto the work-plane.
5. Place your mouse over the bottom right corner and click and drag it out to the size you want for your
keychain. You can adjust the height, width, and length, by grabbing the corners and moving your mouse.
6. The color on the screen does not matter, as the object that prints out will be whatever color filament is
loaded into the printer.
7. Click on the work-plane icon in the tool bar area. Drag a new work-plane onto your keychain shape
8. Back up in the tool bar, click on the letter tool. You can now click and drag letters onto the new work-
plane on top of your keychain. You can adjust the size of the letters by dragging the corners. It
automatically assigns a name to your file. You can change the name to be more specific.
9. Click on the HOLES tool and drag the shape you’d like down onto the work plane. Once you have
adjusted the size (drag the corners around), press down to “push it through” the shape (which makes the
hole).
10. When you have finished designing your shape and are ready to print, click DESIGN and SAVE FOR 3D
PRINTING.
11. After printing, ask your students what they might revise if they were to print a second model. Relate this
project to your geometry unit (volume, area, perimeter, etc.)
There are many extensions to this project that can lead to rich discussion in the classroom. Enjoy!
