3D Printing in the Classroom

3D Printing – Bringing Student Creations and STEM Education to Life

Since its inception around 30 years ago, 3D printing has continued to advance from strength to strength. Currently, interest in 3D modelling and printing is at an all-time high, especially in the education sector. This is due, in part, to the increasing availability of high-quality, affordable, and easy-to-use 3D printing technology.

Now it’s no secret that improving STEM education is very much on the agenda around the world. In light of this, many schools are investing in 3D printing options to enhance teaching and learning in STEM, particularly with regard to the often-overlooked areas of technology and engineering.

3D Modelling and Printing an Excellent Addition to a STEM Curriculum

The beauty of 3D printing is that it affords students the opportunity to conceptualize, design, create and bring their ideas to life. Furthermore, the process will equip students with practical skills and know-how to tackle ‘real-world’ challenges in the future.

As The Engineer, in an article entitled ‘3D printing makes its mark in schools’, states, “by allowing them [students] to rapidly design, build and test their own objects, the technology can give young people an insight into engineering and technology that a picture in a textbook or words on a white board cannot.”

For these very reasons, a 3D printer is a feature of many a school’s STEM budget. Perhaps you have already purchased one.

Choosing a Suitable 3D CAD Design Software to Accompany the 3D Printer

3Dprinting,com explains, “a 3D model is either created from the ground up with 3D modeling software or based on data generated with a 3D scanner.”

After you have researched and selected a 3D printer/s for your school, therefore, the quest for the appropriate software to power the 3D printing begins.

Teachers who have already made the plunge into the exciting world of 3D printing will attest to the fact that it can be quite challenging to find software that is powerful, yet intuitive and suitable for use in schools. Traditional CAD (Computer Aided Design) programs, that say an engineer might use, are far too complicated for the classroom setting. As a result, schools are often searching for free CAD software programs that are compatible with their printer and more appropriate for beginners and the classroom setting.

Free CAD Software Options for the Classroom Setting

TinkerCad and 3D Slash, for example, are two of the more popular options for schools. By all accounts, both packages are easy to learn and use. However, there appears to be one glaring issue with both platforms.

Reviews often mention that programs such as TinkerCad and 3D Slash are overly simplistic, and don’t necessarily give students an authentic 3D design experience, or prepare students to step up to more ‘real world’ CAD based design applications.

SelfCAD – The New Kid on the Block

SelfCAD is another 3D printing software package option for schools. I recently read about SelfCAD in an article published on EdTechReview. The software is free, and it seems to offer a far more professional, real world option that is still easy to use and suitable for the classroom setting.

Daniel Faegnill, in an article for 3D Printer Chat states, “SelfCAD is an interesting middle ground for people who are looking for something more advanced than TinkerCad and want an all in one place to design, slice, and print more advanced models with more control. The online 3D software will be making noise for sure in the coming months. Recommended.”

Another notable feature— SelfCAD has teamed up with MyMiniFactory, to provide a database of already completed 3D printable designs, making thousands of 3D objects available for immediate printing. This offers incredible flexibility, and will no doubt inspire a student’s creativity.

Many schools are moving forward with SelfCAD for their school’s 3D printing plans. Suffice to say, their 3D design and printing software is well worth a look. You can read a more in-depth review of SelfCAD here (written by Josh Mings of SolidSmack).

The Future of 3D Design and Manufacturing is Bright

Of course, seeking out a 3D printer and the right software package for your school will require a little time and energy. That’s a given. Be assured, however, it is worth the effort. 3D printing is already being used by many design and manufacturing companies around the world, and the technology is definitely here to stay.

According to a recent article on the state of 3D printing, published by Forbes, “90% of companies using 3D Printing consider it a competitive advantage in their strategy. 72% predict their spending on additive manufacturing will increase in 2018.” One estimate predicts that by 2021, the 3D printing industry will be worth around 26.5 billion US dollars.

The future of 3D design and manufacturing is indeed bright. Incorporating 3D printing projects into your school’s STEM curriculum, therefore, will prepare your students to make the most of this growth. At the very least, it will stimulate creativity, provide authentic learning experiences in STEM, and instil in your students invaluable practical skills that will open the door of opportunity in years to come.