Why 3D Printing

in the Cla ss room

Research, reasons and lessons

for integrating 3D printing into
your curriculum

877.455.9369 | www.teq.com
 Why 3D Printing in the Classroom
CONTENTS

E-BOOK Students love it and learn from it, and educators keep asking for 3D printers
in their schools. But even with this demand, some school administrators
struggle to justify the purchase of 3D printers.
With this eBook, we Put the “A” in STE(A)M 6
hope to answer some Questions remain:
of these questions, and Engage Different
Learning Styles 8
put you on a path to Why bring 3D printing into the classroom?
success with 3D printing
Make STEM Fun and
in your classroom. We Engaging 10 How can 3D printing help students learn problem-solving skills and develop
have some resources their critical thinking?
for lesson ideas and Inspire an Interest in
STEM Careers 12
activities, will share some How is 3D printing technology being integrated into instruction so it engages
research, and will give students and aligns to curriculum?
Teach Students to Learn
you the knowledge you 14
from Failure
need to advocate for 3D How can 3D printing get students interested in careers in STEM
printing as a valuable
educational tool.
3D printing
in the
Classroom
5
reasons why
1 Put the A in STEAM
The arts are vital for student success
Lesson Idea
It’s no surprise that more of an emphasis is being placed on Tessellation Escher Project
introducing the arts into STEM programs. According to a study by Encourage students to see patterns in the world
Kent State University, students who study the arts are four times around them! In this activity students create tes-
more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. As a sellation patterns and then 3D print them as puzzle
result, educators are looking for innovative ways to reestablish the pieces. This project helps students build spatial
arts in their curriculum. intelligence by manipulating physical objects
through kinesthetic learning.

3D printers have emerged as a powerful tool to reintroduce the

Find it here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1318696
arts by allowing students to use their imagination and creativity.
Students experience the full design process from start to finish.
Recommended # of printers: 1-3
Using computer-aided design (CAD) software, students can design
a 3D object, and then create that object using the printer.

By designing 3D objects using CAD software, students can better

understand how 3D shapes fit and work together to create 3D

Research
models based on their imagination. Being able to understand how
3D shapes work and fit together can also result in improvements
in a student’s spatial intelligence. Spatial intelligence is the ability
to mentally and visually grasp 3D images and shapes. According
Case Study:
to a recent study conducted by David Lubinski and his colleagues
Why Spatial Intelligence is Important and How to Help
at Vanderbilt University, spatial intelligence is an overlooked
Develop it with 3D Printing
indicator of future student success, and is a vital part of learning
Created by Australian primary school teachers Graham
development.
Gordon and Ruth Cowen, this study concluded that students
demonstrated a significant improvement in their ability to
mentally rotate and manipulate shapes (spatial intelligence)
after using 3D design and printing in the classroom.
Kent State URL: https://musicedmasters.kent.edu/stem-to-steam/
Vanderbilt University URL: https://my.vanderbilt.edu/smpy/files/2013/01/
DoingPsychScience2006.pdf Research URL: https://www.makersempire.com/spatial-
intelligence-important-help-students-develop-3d-printing/
2 Engage Different Learning Styles
Students are unique – and so are their learning styles
Lesson Idea
3D printing can facilitate successful learning experiences that The T-Rex Skull
accommodate the different ways students learn. It has the power to What’s the difference between scientific facts and
bring a lesson to life for kinesthetic and visual learners, and to build theories? With this 3D printable model of a T-Rex
an immersive and dynamic learning environment for everyone. skull, students will learn from fossils and explore
the characteristics of the most-studied dinosaur.
For example, 3D printing can bring a history lesson on ancient
Egypt to life when students design and print replicas of structures
and artifacts from this time period. Kinesthetic (tactile) learners
will benefit because it allows them to physically create, touch, and Find it here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:308335
analyze objects that may not have been possible before.
Recommended # of printers: 1-3
3D printing can also provide personalized learning experiences
for visual learners. By designing and printing different 3D objects,
complex concepts become tangible. For example, a lesson
on engineering design could have students modify and print
robot parts and then assemble them. As they work with the
parts, students will be able to visualize how the different pieces
fit together, thus giving them a better understanding of the

Research
engineering concepts behind them.

Case Study:
Introduction of 3D Printing Technology in the
Classroom for Visually Impaired Students
This study concludes that one advantage of 3D printing
technology is its ability to create customized materials
for visually-impaired students who have different
learning aptitudes and cognitive abilities.

Research URL: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1114998.pdf

3 Make STEM Fun and Engaging
Curriculum can come to life with the integration of
3D printing
Lesson Idea
H2 Make It Go
While educators recognize the importance of teaching STEM, Robots, STEM, and some serious creativity! This
many find it difficult to keep the content engaging for their activity asks students to measure volume and
students. Schools can drive student engagement around STEM by explore the design elements needed to create a
providing access to new technologies that create a “wow” factor “vehicle” for their Sphero robot. Students also
around the content being delivered. 3D printers are the perfect learn how the weight, materials, and drag alter the
tools to do this. speed of the robot.

Find it here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1622569

3D printers offer a new approach for educators to engage students
in critical thinking and problem solving – and to bring lesson
Recommended # of printers: 5+
plans to life. For example, an elementary school math lesson on
perimeter, volume, or probability could feature students designing
and printing their own 3D objects. Getting to design a 3D object–
and then see it come to life as a 3D model – is exciting, keeps
students motivated, and helps them gain a better understanding of
new concepts they are learning.

Research
Case Study:
Turning Students into Engineers with 3D Printing
This article concludes that learning to design and create
objects through the 3D printing process is not only helpful
to students’ learning development, but prepares them with
skills they will need in the future.

Research URL: http://stevemurrayink.com/wp-content/uploads/

turning_students_into_engineers.pdf
4 Inspire an Interest in STEM Careers
Lesson Idea
Giving students dynamic experiences can plant
seeds for the future

Prosthetic Hand Mission

The 3D printing process can not only make subject matter Apply 3D printing to the real world! This activity
more engaging, but can ignite students’ curiosity and interest has students applying real-world engineering de-
in STEM fields – an approach that is particularly valuable sign to create and 3D print their own prosthetic
when applied at an early age. And with the demand for STEM hands.
professionals expected to add over 1 million new STEM jobs
within the US by 2020, it is more important than ever to engage
students in STEM and STEM-related career fields.

One of the biggest benefits of 3D printing is its ability to facilitate

real-world problem solving in the classroom. Hod Lipson, a Find it here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1954875
Cornell University professor, has experienced this benefit first-
Recommended # of printers: 5+
hand with his product design students. While design projects
are normally limiting because they don’t connect the designer to
the final product, 3D printing is changing that. “What 3-D printing
allows us to do,” says Lipson, “is to accelerate the innovation
process so that students can experience the entire product
design and marketing from A-Z in one semester, within a period of
maybe three months or less.”

Schools have modified this example to not only exercise real

world problem solving, but to allow students to experience what
Research
Case Study:
a STEM career would entail.
Expanding Applied Learning
This study concludes that 3D printing is a powerful tool
that teaches the problem-solving skills and collaboration
skills needed to make them valuable assets in the job
market.
STEM jobs URL: https://www.kukakore.com/robotics-stem-education-
infographic/
Cornell University URL: http://bigthink.com/in-their-own-words/two-ways- Research URL: http://global72.stratasys.com/~/media/
3d-printing-is-revolutionizing-the-classroom en/Corporate/Newsroom/F123/Case-Study_FDM_
Dunwoody_0117a-Web.ashx
5 Teach Students to Learn from Failure
Lesson Idea
Opportunities to try, try, and try again build
important skills for students

Archimedes Screw Project

Student success is traditionally measured by students taking Reinvent the wheel! In this activity, students will
tests and receiving a passing or failing grade. The problem create and modify an Archimedes Screw and
with this approach is that it encourages students to gain only are tasked with moving different materials up an
the knowledge required to pass the test, builds anxiety around incline. Students observe the original design, and
test taking, and above all, ignores the lessons that can be then create a more efficient screw design that fits
learned from failure. The lessons we learn from failure are just into the case.
as important as the lessons we learn from success. Failure
develops resiliency, and being able to learn from our mistakes Find it here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1769714
is a vital skill to develop in students – as a character trait, and as
a skill set for the future.
Recommended # of printers: 2
3D printers are a great tool for facilitating learning through
failure. Students will have to analyze, modify, and test their
design multiple times before they are successful. During the
preparation phase, students will have to select the optimal
settings to make their print successful. If the print ends up
failing, students can go back to analyze and modify the settings
until they are successful. By doing this, students will become
better designers – and learn how to face failure and overcome
it. As Yoda said during Star Wars: The Last Jedi, “The greatest
Research
Case Study:
teacher, failure is.”
3D Printing for Learning
This article looks at how the 3D printing process gives
students hands-on practice in problem solving, as they
work through the prototyping process, reiterating failed
designs and prints until they are successful.

Research URL: https://www.techlearning.com/tl-advisor-blog/3d-

printing-for-learning
 3D print has the power to
change the way students learn
 Printers we love About Teq

Learning is at the heart of everything we do at Teq. With our

unique blend of innovative edtech products and dynamic
professional development, we are committed to supporting and
enriching the classroom environment.
Ultimaker s5
Ultimaker’s most advanced 3D printer yet, the The Teq story began over 40 years ago, in a small barn, where we
Ultimaker S5* builds on the capabilities of the sold vocational training equipment. Our family business evolved
Ultimaker 3, then adds enhanced performance as educational technology evolved, and we’re proud to have
with a larger build volume, effortless operation,
and unparalleled reliability. grown from our humble beginnings into the world-class edtech
organization we are today.
http://www.teq.com/stem/ultimaker-3d-printer/.
The power of educational technology is that it can be harnessed
and personalized for each learner and learning environment. We
offer a broad portfolio of the best and most innovative products
the edtech industry has to offer, so you can choose the tools
that work best for you.

But leveraging educational technology isn’t as simple as merely

having the latest and greatest technology in the classroom – it’s
about effectively integrating that technology into curriculum
MakerBot Replicator +
Engineered for Reliable, Faster 3D Printing. The in a way that engages, supports, and inspires all learners.
MakerBot Replicator+ combines unparalleled That’s why we provide relevant, flexible, and standards-based
performance with superior results and lasting professional development to empower educators, improve
reliability.
technology integration, and raise student achievement. From
http://www.teq.com/stem/makerbot-3d-printer/. customized onsite coaching and mentoring, to a library of
online professional development courses and certifications, we
are committed to fostering passion and creativity in the 21st
century learning environment.

It’s all about learning.

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