Description 

Applications for 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) are rapidly expanding in a broad set of industries and the technology is being used as a complementary tool in many professions. As such the Australian education sector has seen accelerating uptake, with 3D printing being not only a field of learning itself but being used to enhance other fields of study by generating student engagement and drawing STEM concepts and digital literacy elements into the broader curriculum.

However, many teachers find themselves ill prepared for this transition and overwhelmed by the seeming complexity of introducing, maintaining and integrating this technology in the classroom. 

This course will provide strategies, content, practice and tools specifically relevant to the delivery of NSW curriculum. Specifically the course supports objectives and outcomes across the Stage 4 Technology Mandatory curriculum including:

TE4-1DP Designs, communicates and evaluates innovative ideas and creative solutions to authentic problems or opportunities

TE4-2DP Plans and manages the production of designed solutions

TE4-3DP Selects and safely applies a broad range of tools, materials and processes in the production of quality projects

TE4-9MA Investigates how the characteristics and properties of tools, materials and processes affect their use in designed solutions

TE4-10TS Explains how people in technology related professions contribute to society now and into the future

What you'll learn:

• Get introduced to the basics of 3D printing and how 3D printers work
• Learn about print settings and when they should be used
• Find out how 3D printing can be utilised in the classroom across different subjects and year levels and how to introcude concepts to students
• Discover tools that can be used to create 3D objects and encourage collaboration between students
• Learn how to create 3D printing friendly models and remix designs to create your own

Let's get started by registering you...

Course content

This course consists of 10 lectures delivered as a series of 3-4 minute videos. We recommend doing the course over several sessions and will save your progress if you to pause and come back to it later. Your course will not register as complete and your hours/certification will not be actioned until you finish the last video. 

Sections:

1. Starter quiz - to establish your existing knowledge of 3D printing
2.  Introduction
   • 3D printing at a glance
   • The basics: Hardware
   • The basics: Software
3. Print settings and when they should be used
   
   • Layer thickness and infill
   • Support material and rafts
4. 3D printing in the classroom
   
   • STEM education
   • Applications in the broader curriculum
5. Making 3D objects
   
   • Getting started with CAD
   • Remixing designs
   • Creating 3D printing friendly models
   • Activity: Making a 3D printable tag

If you have some expereince with 3D printing we will skip you ahead of some of this content once you complete the following starter quiz.

Making a 3D printable tag assignment

Using some basic tools in TinkerCAD, you will create a basic 3D printable object! This exercise is also great to use in the classroom as an introduction to 3D printing.

Estimated Duration: 15 minutes

Step 1

Download this zip folder. Unzip the folder so you are able to access the contents

Step 2

Open TinkerCAD and sign in (create an account if you haven't already got one)
Complete the tutorial, or skip it by clicking the TinkerCAD logo. Select 'create new design' from the home screen.

Step 3

Once a new project has opened up, find the "Import" button in the top right of the screen and import the 'Blank keyring' file. You may resize this object to be between 30-70mm in length and/or width. Using the "Text" object from the right hand side bar, add your name to your keyring. Make sure to resize it to fit on your keyring.

Optional extension

Incorporate a pattern/logo/function into your keyring to further personalise it. We have included an SVG of the Me3D logo for you to include as a starting point. If you have a PNG or JPEG file you'd like to use, you can normal convert these file types to SVG using a tool like convertio.co

"I have access to a 3D printer, I use it all the time!"

Hey, that's great to hear! You know what you're doing, you don't need us to tell you how. But...

If you are looking for a simpler software interface that gives superior print results, consider using buildbee.com as your cloud-based control software. To print your keychain using BuildBee, in TinkerCAD go to "export" in the top right hand corner, select "3D print" at the top, then choose "BuildBee". You will then be guided through the print process.

And if you're looking to expand, we can help you out with printers, software, materials training etc contact us at info@me3d.com.au

"I have access to a 3D printer but have never used it before"

If you (or any of the other users of the printer) are new to 3D printing, one of the easiest ways to get started is to head on over to buildbee.com and download the app to your Windows or iOS computer. To print your keychain using BuildBee, in TinkerCAD go to "export" in the top right hand corner, select "3D print" at the top, then choose "BuildBee". You will then be guided through the print process.

And if your organisation is looking to expand, we can help you out with printers, software, materials training etc contact us at info@me3d.com.au

"I am considering getting a 3D printer"

We can help you out with printers, software, materials training etc contact us at info@me3d.com.au

If your organisation has some of these parts underway, consider buildbee.com as your operating system. It is very easy to use for new users and gives great print results. We include BuildBee in all of our packages. To print your keychain using BuildBee, in TinkerCAD go to "export" in the top right hand corner, select "3D print" at the top, then choose "BuildBee". You will then be guided through the print process.

"I have no access to any 3D printer"

If you have no access to a 3D printer, we can help you with printing your name tag on our 3D printers.

In TinkerCAD, go to the "Export" option in the top right hand corner, select "3D print" at the top and then choose "BuildBee". Follow the instructions to create an account and import your model.

Next, email us at info@buildbee.com and tell us that you've done our course and would like to print your project. We will take it from there and post you out your part.

Time to share!

Please share your creations with us! Take a photo of your design and post it on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram with the hashtag #me3d, or tag us! We would love to see what you come up with! Don't forget to like and share us to get the word out about this great free Professional Development training.

facebook.com/Me3Dprinters/

twitter.com/me3d

instagram.com/me3d_

me3d.com.au/

CONGRATULATIONS!

To complete this course, please click "complete" below. We will then email you your course certificate. If you gave us your PD number you can expect to have your record updated in the next 5 to 10 business days.