This Makerbot Educator Teaches Life Skills in Her 4th and 5th Grade Science Classes

Among the cacti and tumbleweeds of Scottsdale, Arizona, is an oasis of learning known as the Rancho Solano Preparatory School. At this private pre K-12 school, education is all about preparing students with the life skills needed to succeed in our ever-changing 21st century world. In fact, it’s stated mission is to “cultivate in our students the ingenuity to thrive in a global society and to be architects of their future.”

That’s a mission that Shannon Feaster takes to heart in her 4th and 5th grade science classes. As a member of the MakerBot Educator program and a teacher of 20 years, she’s going beyond the books to meet the rigorous standards at Rancho Solano.

Since August of 2016, she has used a MakerBot Replicator (5th Gen) and MakerBot Replicator Mini to challenge her students to design and 3D print projects. In turn, she’s elevating engagement, encouraging real-world problem solving, and teaching larger life skills —especially those for tomorrow’s jobs.

We chatted with Shannon to learn just how she is 3D printing in the classroom and what she’s achieved with her students.

MakerBot: What MakerBot products are you using and what do you like about them?

Shannon: We use MakerBot Fifth Generation 3D printer, MakerBot Replicator Mini, MakerBot Desktop, MakerBot Mobile app (teacher only), and Thingiverse. All are very user-friendly for both teachers and students.

MakerBot: What do you and your students primarily 3D print in your classes?

Shannon: Projects! My students have used the printers to create everything from robots with second grade science buddies to cars, design prototypes, and organisms for plant or animal classification and adaptation units. Both printers are also used by my STEM club.

MakerBot: How does 3D printing with MakerBot help you target specific learning goals?

Shannon: It goes right along with STEM and Next Gen Science Standards —we find a need, design, test, modify, print, modify again, and use! It’s not only teaching the kids about the design process, but they also have to collaborate, problem-solve, show persistence with a project, and see value in how technology can change lives for the better. We hope to soon work on printing toys and food bowls for a rabbit rescue in our community.

MakerBot: Tell us about the most exciting or interesting lesson that you’ve run with your MakerBot so far.

Shannon: After studying about the 5 kingdoms and ecosystems, my 4th grade students had to design their own organism and write a book about its scientific classification, habitat, and more. They used TinkerCad to create their organism. Some did plants, some did new species of animals, and some even did protists and bacteria. They 3D printed their organisms and had them on display along with their book about that organism.

MakerBot: What does having access to a MakerBot 3D Printer help you achieve in your classroom?

Shannon: Simply put—projects come to life! Students have the opportunity to design, test, modify objects for projects; and the kids use the 3D printer to make models to show what they have learned or to use for presentations.

MakerBot: Do you think having access to tools like a 3D printer at this age helps set your students up for success in the future?

Shannon: I think our 3D printers set my students up for success simply because they can turn their ideas into a reality and they understand how to persevere through a difficult design and learn from their mistakes to make improvements. These are not simply STEM objectives, but also life skills.

MakerBot: Have you saved time or money creating teaching props for projects or on other teaching supplies using a 3D printer? If so, how?

Shannon: Absolutely! It was actually my students who reminded me that I could 3D print containers for all of our STEM materials, and even a screwdriver to keep in the classroom! They have also used the MakerBot to create props for a play they are currently doing in Language class. And other teachers like to ask my STEM club students to print math manipulatives and letters for the younger grades on campus!

MakerBot: How do you plan to continue using 3D printers in the future? Do you have any new projects coming up?

Shannon: My fifth graders will be taking a trip to Biosphere II and after our ecology unit, they will jump into Google Sketchup to design their own Biosphere. They will export their designs from Sketchup to 3D print the model to use in a presentation or project. The 5th graders are also designing a working windmill to print and use! After studying the Human Body, my fourth grade students will use the printer to design cross sections of a heart, cells, eyes, and more.

MakerBot: Is there anything else that you would like us to know about how MakerBot empowers you or your students?

Shannon: One of my fourth grade students has a notebook with drawings of prototypes and he now has the means to design and print his models. Being able to take his designs from paper to a real model has inspired him to further his ideas, and even look into how to present and patent his ideas!

Thanks again to Shannon and Rancho Solano Preparatory School!

More Resources for 3D Printing in the Classroom

MakerBot provides a variety of resources designed for educators of all experience levels with 3D printing. To learn more about how you can 3D print in your classroom, visit makerbot.com/education. For classroom-ready lesson plans, check out Thingiverse Education. To become a MakerBot Educator, visit makerbot.com/educators.

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Fun Steam Projects That Teach Real-World Skills in Two Days or Less

The life of an educator is a busy one. Finding the time to create a new 3D printing lesson from scratch can be hard when you’re in a rush. Whether you’re new to classroom 3D printing, or just strapped for time, you can achieve more with with Quick Projects from Thingiverse Education! From designing art sculptures to creating decoder rings, there’s a variety of free lessons that are fun, fast, and easy to complete. Each project includes a full lesson plan that’s approved for a variety of state learning standards. To help you get started, we’ve collected five Thingiverse lesson plans that your classroom can finish in two days or less.

Each lesson plan includes step-by-step instructions for a 3D printing project that’s approved for certain learning standards. Many projects include a grading rubric, reflection questions, requirements sheets, and more.

1. Lead a Group of Speedy Architects

Challenge your students to design their own buildings in the Speedy Architect Project! In this lesson, grades 3 through 8 will create buildings that meet critical design requirements. Students will connect 3D printed connectors to drinking straws to create final structures. They’ll team up to build the tallest building they can with a limited amount of materials and time. This way, students can become familiar with being creative under professional design constraints.

All it takes is 1 or 2 class periods for students to plan their designs, create models on TinkerCAD, and 3D print their final structures. Meeting Next Generation Science Standards, this lesson is a fun preview of more advanced science, engineering, and technology concepts.

2. Recreate a Famous Logic Riddle

In this activity, your students will help a farmer complete a puzzling mission. In A Fox, a Goose, and a Bag of Beans Logic Riddle, students will use deductive reasoning to figure out how a farmer could carry his items safely across a river. Grades 5 through 8 will 3D print models of the farmer, the fox, the goose, and the bag of beans to help them act out possible scenarios and solutions.

In about 25 minutes, you can challenge your students to think deductively, which will help them tackle proofs in the future. Thingiverse designer ereiser suggests introducing this project on the first day of school to reintroduce students to mathematical thinking.

3. Create Unique 3D Sculptures from 2D Sketches

Transform your students’ sketches into complex art sculptures with the Art Connector Set SVG Conversion Project. Students will begin by drawing shapes within the circles provided. Then, they’ll photograph their drawings to upload them to their computers as .jpeg images. Once they’re uploaded, they’ll convert their images into SVG files. From there, they can import their SVG files into Tinkercad, where they’ll design and finalize their 3D print files. After 3D printing their circles, they’ll connect each print to form a unique art piece!

To achieve the same results in fewer steps, teachers can also use the ShapeMaker feature on the MakerBot PrintShop iPad App. All students would have to do is take a photo of their drawings or upload their files on the iPad, and then ShapeMaker converts them into CAD files that you can customize, resize, and print.

This project, optimized for grades 2 through 6, can be completed in 2-3 class periods. This lesson is a good introduction to advanced STEAM thinking. It meets National Core Art Standards for elaborating on artistic ideas and devising multiple approaches to a design problem. Teaching students how to visualize and convert 2D sketches into 3D objects primes them for the work they’ll encounter in design, digital manufacturing, and engineering jobs in the future.

4. Explore Cryptography with Decoder Rings!

Introduce young mathematicians to cryptography and ciphers with the lesson Cryptography: Sending Secret Messages. Grades 3 through 8 will learn how to use ciphers to encode and decode messages on a 3D printed decoder ring. Students will discover why the Vigenere cipher works better than the Caesar cipher, as they send and decode secret classroom messages! This one-day activity meets Common Core State Standards for solving math problems and using tools strategically.

5. Breathe New Life into Book Reports!

Add some exciting design elements to your Language Arts lesson with Book Report Keychains! In this activity, students are asked to design and print three keychains – one for three different characters from a recently read book. Each keychain should possess one or more elements of the character’s personality, motivations, challenges, or important relationships in the story.

This project is an interesting, engaging way for grades 4 and 5 to express their reading comprehension. It meets Common Core State Standards for English and Language Arts. In 3 to 5 class sessions, students will enhance their retention, build key 3D design skills, and enjoy 3D printed keepsakes that are unique, eye-catching, and fun!

For more fast, easy 3D printing lessons, explore Quick Projects found in Thingiverse Education!

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