Session 4: “Designing Your First Coin”
Architect:
Syed Shayaan Haider - Markhor3D
Learning Objectives
In this session, the students will:
- Create a Simple Coin Design in TinkerCad: Use basic shapes to design a coin.
- Follow a Demonstration: Observe the teacher modeling the steps to create a coin.
- Personalize Their Coin: Add a simple initial or symbol to make it unique.
- Develop Basic Digital Skills: Practice placing, resizing, and grouping shapes with guidance.
- Feel a Sense of Accomplishment: Experience the joy of creating their own design.
Teaching Aids
Required Materials:
- Computers or Tablets:
- One per student or pair, with TinkerCad already logged in and ready to use.
- Preferably touch-screen devices for easier interaction.
- TinkerCad Accounts:
- Use the pre-logged-in accounts from the previous session.
- Interactive Whiteboard or Projector:
- For demonstrating steps in TinkerCad.
- Visual Aids:
- Posters or slides showing step-by-step instructions with images.
- Assistants or Volunteers:
- Additional adults to help guide students during the session.
- Sample Finished Coin:
- An example of a simple coin created in TinkerCad and 3D printed. (Sample stls attatched).
- Circle Coin.
- Polygon Coin.
- An example of a simple coin created in TinkerCad and 3D printed. (Sample stls attatched).
Structure and Lesson Plan (Total Time: 50 minutes)
1. Introduction and Recap (5 minutes)
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Greet the Students:
- “Hello, everyone! Are you excited to create something special today?”
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Review Previous Session:
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“Last time, we had fun playing with shapes in TinkerCad. Who remembers how to add a shape?”
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Allow a few students to respond.
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Introduce Today’s Activity:
- “Today, we’re going to design our very own coin! It’s like making your own special treasure.”
2. Demonstration by the Teacher (10 minutes)
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Explain the Purpose:
- “I’ll show you how to make a simple coin in TinkerCad. You can watch me first, and then we’ll all make our own coins together.”
- Keep it precise and brief to allow more time for the students.
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Step-by-Step Demonstration:
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Step 1: Creating the Base of the Coin
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“First, we need a shape for our coin. We’ll use a cylinder because it’s round and flat. But you can choose any shape you want! A cube, a triangle even a heart! You are the Kings and Queens they are your coins.”
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Action: Drag a shapefrom the shape menu onto the workplane.
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Adjusting Size:
- “Let’s make our coin a good size. We’ll make it 45 millimeters wide and 4 millimeters tall.”
- Action: Resize the cylinder by typing in the dimensions or dragging the resize handles.
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Step 2: Adding an Initial or Simple Symbol
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“Now, let’s personalize our coin by adding a letter or symbol. I’ll add the letter ‘A’ for example.”
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Adding Text:
- “We can find the ‘Text’ shape in the shapes menu.”
- Action: Drag the ‘Text’ shape onto the workplane.
- Typing the Letter:
- “I’ll type ‘A’ here.”
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Adjusting Size and Position:
- “Let’s make the letter smaller to fit on the coin.”
- Action: Resize the text to be smaller than the coin.
- “Now, we’ll move it on top of the coin.”
- Action: Drag the letter onto the top center of the cylinder.
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Adjusting Height:
- “We want the letter to stick out a little bit. Let’s make it a bit taller.”
- Action: Adjust the height of the letter to be slightly taller than the coin.
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Step 3: Grouping the Shapes
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“Now, we’ll stick the shapes together so they become one object.”
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Action: Select both shapes and click on the ‘Group’ button.
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Changing Colors (Optional):
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“We can change the color to see it better, but remember, the 3D print will be in one color.”
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Action: Change the color of the grouped object.
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Engage Students During Demonstration:
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“Do you see how the letter sits on top of the coin?”
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“Any questions about what we did?”
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3. Guided Practice: Students Create Their Coins (25 minutes)
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Step-by-Step Guidance:
- “Now, it’s your turn! Let’s make our coins together step by step.”
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Assist Students Through Each Step:
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Step 1: Adding the Cylinder
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“Everyone, drag a cylinder onto your workplane.”
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Assistants Help Students as Needed
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Adjusting Size:
- “Resize your cylinder to make it about this big.”
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Step 2: Adding Your Initial or Symbol
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“Now, find the ‘Text’ shape and drag it onto the workplane.”
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“Type the first letter of your name, or choose a simple shape you like.”
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Adjusting Size and Position:
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“Make the letter smaller so it fits on your coin.”
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“Move it on top of the coin.”
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Adjusting Height:
- “Make the letter a bit taller so it stands out.”
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Step 3: Grouping the Shapes
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“Select both the coin and your letter.”
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“Click on the ‘Group’ button to stick them together.”
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Teacher and Assistant Support:
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Move around the room to help students individually.
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Areas of Assistance:
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Adding shapes.
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Typing letters.
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Resizing and positioning shapes.
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Grouping shapes.
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Encourage Creativity:
- “If you’d like, you can add a simple shape instead of a letter, like a star or heart.”
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Reminders:
- “Remember to ask for help if you’re not sure what to do.”
4. Saving Designs and Preparing for Printing (5 minutes)
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Saving Designs:
- “Let’s make sure to save our designs so we can print them.”
- Action: Show students how to save within TinkerCad.
- You can skip the exporting function in TinkerCad. As a class owner you will have access to the designs. As the class owner you can collect the .stl files yourself for printing. (refer to the TinkerCad Guide)
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Collecting Files:
- “I’ll collect all your designs from TinkerCad so we can get them ready for printing.”
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Explain the Next Steps:
- “In our next class, we’ll see how these coins are printed with the 3D printer!”
5. Sharing and Celebration (3 minutes)
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Group Sharing:
- “Who would like to show us their coin design?”
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Display on Projector:
- If possible, share a few students’ designs on the main display.
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Positive Feedback:
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“Wonderful job! Your coin looks amazing!”
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“I love how you added your favorite shape!”
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6. Conclusion and Recap (2 minutes)
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Summarize the Session:
- “Today, we designed our very own coins using TinkerCad.”
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Reinforce Key Points:
- “We learned how to add a cylinder, personalize it with a letter or symbol, and group the shapes together.”
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Express Excitement for the Next Session:
- “Next time, we’ll watch as the 3D printer brings your coins to life!”
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Closing Encouragement:
- “You all did an excellent job! I can’t wait to see your creations in real life!”
Additional Notes for the Teacher
- Guide to TinkerCad (link to separate document)
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Preparation:
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TinkerCad Setup:
- Ensure all devices are ready with TinkerCad open to the design workspace.
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Sample Coin:
- Have a physical example of a 3D-printed coin to show students.
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Visual Aids:
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Prepare step-by-step slides or posters to support the demonstration.
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Pair students who may benefit from working together.
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Keep the demonstration concise to allow ample time for students to work on their own designs.
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Key Vocabulary
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Coin: A small, round object, like money, but in this case, a personalized creation.
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Cylinder: A 3D shape with two circular faces connected by a curved surface.
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Text Shape: A tool in TinkerCad that lets us add letters or numbers.
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Group: Combining shapes so they become one object.
Next Session.
Previous Session.
For suggestions, improvements, and corrections, feel free to reach out at shayaanhaider@gmail.com