[DL28] Village Project Building and Printing

M3D DesignLab DesignLab Grade 2
1

Session 8: “Collaborative Creation: Building a Village – Part 2 and Printing”

Architect:
Syed Shayaan Haider - Markhor3D

Learning Objectives

In this session, the students will:

  • Continue Collaborative Design: Further develop their building designs in TinkerCad as a group.
  • Finalize 3D Models for Printing: Complete their models, ensuring they are ready for 3D printing.
  • Apply Problem-Solving Skills: Make adjustments to their designs for printability.
  • Understand Basic Printing Preparation: Learn how their designs are prepared for printing.
  • Enhance Teamwork and Communication: Continue to work effectively within their groups.

Teaching Aids

Required Equipment:

  • Computers or Tablets:
    • One per group, with internet access.
  • TinkerCad Accounts:
    • Ensure continued access for each group.
  • Projector and Screen:
    • For demonstrations and displaying examples.
  • 3D Printer:
    • Set up for demonstration and starting prints.
  • Cura Software:
    • For slicing models and preparing them for printing.
  • Whiteboard and Markers:
    • For explanations and highlighting key concepts.
  • Sample Printed Buildings (Optional):
    • To show examples of finished products.

Structure and Lesson Plan (Total Time: 50 minutes)

1. Introduction and Recap (5 minutes)

  • Welcome Students:

    • “Good morning, everyone! Today we’ll continue working on our village project.”

  • Recap Previous Session:

    • “Last time, you started designing your buildings in TinkerCad. Let’s quickly remind ourselves what we did.”

  • Discuss Progress:

    • “Think about what your group accomplished and what you plan to do today.”

  • Set Goals for Today:

    • “Our goal is to finish our building designs and prepare them for 3D printing.”

2. Reviewing Designs and Planning Next Steps (5 minutes)

  • Groups Gather:

    • Have students rejoin their groups from the previous session.

  • Review Designs:

    • “Open your TinkerCad projects and look at what you’ve created so far.”

  • Identify Remaining Tasks:

    • “Discuss with your group what else you need to add or fix.”

    • Questions to Consider:

      • “Are all parts of your building complete?”
      • “Do you need to add any details like doors, windows, or decorations?”
      • “Is your building the right size compared to others?”

  • Set a Plan:

    • “Decide as a group what each member will work on to finish the design.”

3. Continuing the Digital Design (25 minutes)

  • Group Work Time:

    • Students continue working on their building designs in TinkerCad.

  • Teacher Assistance:

    • Circulate among the groups to provide support and guidance.

    • Areas to Focus On:

      • Ensuring Printability:

        • “Remember to check for any overhangs or parts that might be hard to print.”

        • “Can you simplify or adjust these areas?”

      • Applying Scale and Proportion:

        • “Double-check the size of your building to make sure it will fit well with the others.”

      • Encouraging Participation:

        • “Make sure everyone in your group is contributing.”

  • Tips for Finalizing Designs:

    • Grouping Shapes:

      • “Don’t forget to group your shapes together once you’re happy with them.”

    • Naming Files:

      • “Please name your project with your group’s name for easy identification.”

  • Problem-Solving Assistance:

    • If groups encounter issues:

      • Technical Help:

        • Assist with any TinkerCad functionalities.

      • Design Adjustments:

        • Offer suggestions to improve design elements.

  • Encourage Creativity:

    • “Feel free to add unique features to make your building special!”

4. Preparing Designs for Printing (10 minutes)

  • Introduction to Printing Preparation:

    • “Now that your designs are ready, let’s see how we prepare them for 3D printing.”

  • Demonstrate Exporting Designs:

    • Steps:

      1. Exporting from TinkerCad:

      2. Collecting Files:

        • “We’ll collect all the files to prepare them for printing.”

  • Brief Overview of Slicing Software (Cura):

    • Simplified Explanation:

      • “Cura is a program that helps us get your designs ready for the printer.”

      • “It slices your 3D model into layers that the printer can understand.”

    • Demonstration:

      • Import one group’s design into Cura on the projector.

      • Show how the model appears on the virtual print bed.

      • Explain basic concepts:

        • Scaling (if necessary):

          • “We check to make sure the size is correct.”

        • Positioning:

          • “We place your building in the right spot on the print bed.”

        • Slicing:

          • “We slice the model to create the instructions for the printer.”

  • Addressing Print Time:

    • “Some buildings may take longer to print, so we’ll start printing them after class and over the next few days.”

5. Starting the Printing Process (5 minutes)

  • Begin Printing One Design (Optional):

    • If time and resources allow, start printing one of the buildings.

    • Explain:

      • “We’ll start printing one of your buildings now so you can see how it begins.”

  • Observe the Printer:

    • Allow students to watch the initial layers being printed.

    • Safety Reminders:

      • “Remember not to touch the printer while it’s working.”

6. Sharing and Reflecting (3 minutes)

  • Group Sharing:

    • “Would any group like to share something interesting about their building?”

  • Encourage Positive Feedback:

    • “Let’s appreciate each other’s efforts and ideas.”

  • Foster Excitement:

    • “Your buildings are going to look amazing together!”

7. Conclusion and Next Steps (2 minutes)

  • Summarize the Session:

    • “Today, you all did fantastic work finishing your building designs.”

  • Explain What Happens Next:

    • “We’ll print your buildings over the next few days.”

    • “In our next session, we’ll add final touches and assemble our village.”

  • Closing Encouragement:

    • “Great teamwork and creativity today! I’m proud of how well you’re all working together.”

Additional Notes for the Teacher

  1. Guide to TinkerCad (link to separate document)
  2. Guide to Cura (link to separate document)
  3. Getting Started with M3D Enabler (link to separate document)

  • Preparation:

    • Ensure all computers are functioning and have access to TinkerCad.

    • Check that the 3D printer and slicing software are ready for use.

  • Time Management:

    • Allocate sufficient time for groups to finalize their designs.

    • Be prepared to assist groups that may be behind.

  • Formative Assessment:

    • For Advanced Students:

      • Encourage them to help other groups or add detailed features.

    • For Students Needing Extra Help:

      • Provide targeted support to help them complete their designs.

  • Technical Considerations:

    • Design Review:

      • Before printing, review each group’s design for any issues that may affect printability.

    • Print Scheduling:

      • Plan the printing schedule to ensure all buildings are printed before the next session.

  • Safety Considerations:

    • Supervise students when near the 3D printer.
    • Remind them of safety protocols.

Key Vocabulary

  • Finalize: To complete or finish something.
  • Export: To save a file in a format that can be used by another program.
  • Slice/Slicing: Preparing a 3D model by dividing it into layers for printing.
  • Print Bed: The surface on which the 3D printer builds the object.
  • Iteration: Making changes and improvements to a design.

Previous Session.
Next Session:

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

[DL27] Village Project: Planning and Building