[DL19] Collaborative Design contd

M3D DesignLab DesignLab Grade 1
1

Session 9: “Designing Our Dream Playground in TinkerCad - Part 2”

Architect:
Syed Shayaan Haider - Markhor3D

Learning Objectives

In this session, the students will:

  • Complete Their Digital Designs: Continue and finalize modeling their playground equipment in TinkerCad.
  • Enhance Digital Skills: Improve proficiency in using basic shapes and tools in TinkerCad.
  • Prepare for 3D Printing: Understand the basics of how their designs will be printed.
  • Experience the 3D Printing Setup: Observe how designs are prepared and sent to the 3D printer.
  • Feel a Sense of Accomplishment: Take pride in completing their designs and seeing them ready for printing.

Teaching Aids

Required Materials:

  • Computers or Tablets:

    • One per pair of students, with TinkerCad already logged in and ready to use.
    • Preferably touch-screen devices for easier interaction.

  • TinkerCad Accounts:

    • Use pre-logged-in accounts from previous sessions.

  • Interactive Whiteboard or Projector:

    • For demonstrating the printing setup process.

  • 3D Printer:

    • Set up in the classroom for live demonstration.
    • Positioned safely for student viewing.

  • Visual Aids:

    • Posters or slides showing the 3D printing process.
    • Images of completed playground equipment designs.

  • Assistants or Volunteers:

    • Additional adults to help guide students during the session.

  • Safety Equipment:

    • Barriers or markings to keep students at a safe distance from the printer.

Structure and Lesson Plan (Total Time: 50 minutes)

1. Welcome and Recap (5 minutes)

  • Greet the Students:

    • “Good morning, everyone! Are you ready to continue designing our dream playground?”

  • Recap Previous Session:

    • “Last time, you started creating amazing playground equipment in TinkerCad. Who would like to share what they worked on?”

  • Encourage Sharing:

    • Allow a few pairs to briefly mention their designs.

  • Explain Today’s Goals:

    • “Today, we’ll finish our designs and get them ready for 3D printing! We’ll also see how the printer works to bring your creations to life.”

2. Continuing TinkerCad Modeling (30 minutes)

  • Set Up Devices:

    • Ensure each pair has their device with their TinkerCad project open.

  • Guidelines and Expectations:

    • “Take the next 30 minutes to complete your designs. Remember to work together and help each other.”

  • Suggestions:

    • “Check if all the parts of your model are connected properly.”
    • “Think about adding any final details or decorations.”

  • Teacher and Assistant Support:

    • Move around the room to assist pairs individually.
    • Areas of Assistance:
      • Refining shapes and sizes.
      • Ensuring models are printable (e.g., avoiding floating parts).
      • Grouping all shapes together.

  • Encourage Problem-Solving:

    • “If something isn’t working the way you want, try a different approach or ask for help.”

  • Reminders:

    • “Save your work frequently.”
    • “Make sure your model fits within the size limits for printing.”

3. Saving Designs and Preparing for Printing (5 minutes)

  • Finalizing Designs:

    • “Time to wrap up your designs! Let’s make sure they’re ready for printing.”

  • Saving Designs:

    • “Click ‘Save’ to ensure all your changes are stored.”

  • Collecting Files:

    • “I’ll collect your designs from TinkerCad to prepare them for printing.”

  • Brief Explanation:

    • “We’ll need to turn your designs into instructions that the 3D printer can understand.”

4. Setting Up the Prints Live (7 minutes)

  • Gather Students Near the Printer:

    • “Come over to the printer area to see how we set up your designs for printing!”

  • Safety Reminders:

    • “Please stay behind the safety line and remember not to touch the printer.”

  • Demonstrate the Printing Setup:

    • Step 1: Importing Designs into Slicer Software

      • “We load your design into a special program that prepares it for printing.”
      • [Display the slicer software on the projector]

    • Step 2: Slicing the Model

      • “The program slices your model into thin layers and creates instructions for the printer.”
      • Simplify the explanation to suit the students’ understanding.

    • Step 3: Sending to the Printer

      • “Once it’s ready, we send the instructions to the printer.”

  • Start a Sample Print:

    • “Let’s start printing one of your designs so you can see the magic happen!”

    • Begin printing a small, simple model that won’t take too long to show initial progress.

  • Describe What’s Happening:

    • “Look! The printer is beginning to create the first layer of the design.”

  • Manage Expectations:

    • “Printing takes time, so we’ll let the printer work, and you’ll see the finished models later.”

5. Conclusion and Next Steps (3 minutes)

  • Summarize the Session:

    • “Today, you completed your amazing playground designs and learned how they are prepared for 3D printing.”

  • Express Excitement:

    • “In our next class, we’ll see your printed models and assemble our dream playground together!”

  • Closing Encouragement:

    • “Great job, everyone! Your creativity and teamwork are fantastic!”

Additional Notes for the Teacher

  1. Guide to TinkerCad (link to separate document)

Preparation:

  • TinkerCad Setup:

    • Ensure all devices are ready and students can access their saved projects.

  • 3D Printer Setup:

    • Have the printer set up and tested before the session.
    • Prepare a simple model for live printing that can show initial layers quickly.

  • Visual Aids:

    • Prepare slides or posters explaining the printing process in simple terms.

Assistance and Supervision:

  • Teacher and Assistant Roles:

    • Assist students in finalizing their designs.
    • Monitor the printer during the live demonstration.

Safety Considerations:

  • Printer Safety:

    • Ensure students remain at a safe distance.
    • Explain that the printer parts can be hot and should not be touched.

Technical Considerations:

  • Design Check:

    • Before printing, check that student designs are printable:
      • All parts are properly connected.
      • No floating elements.
      • Appropriate size for the printer.

Make sure to scale down the created designs appropriately in the slicing software to ensure quick and practical printing.

  • Simplify Explanations:

    • Use age-appropriate language when explaining technical processes.

Key Vocabulary

  • Finalize: To complete or finish something.

  • 3D Printing: The process of making a physical object from a digital model by laying down thin layers of material.

  • Slicing Software: A program that prepares a 3D model for printing by turning it into layers and instructions.

  • Layer: A single thin slice of the object; many layers stacked together make the full object.

  • Model: A digital representation of an object.

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For suggestions, improvements, and corrections, feel free to reach out at shayaanhaider@gmail.com

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