3D printing resources for WA science laboratories in primary schools

3D printing is having an enormous impact on all industries and professions, none more so perhaps than Science. We’re on the cusp of the next great revolution in manufacturing, research, health care and education. In the near future, 3D design and printing will be a crucial component of many STEM jobs.

Students with early exposure to 3D technologies will be uniquely prepared to excel in this exciting future.

This information covers the benefits of using 3D printing and design to teach 3D printing, how schools are using 3D printing and design to transform Science lessons, and 3D printing equipment and resources to consider when outfitting a Science laboratory. It introduces Makers Empire’s complete 3D solution, and has been tailored to WA public primary schools that are successful recipients of Western Australian Curriculum Support funds.

Benefits of teaching Science with 3D printing

Watch these short videos detailing the benefits of using 3D printing and design to teach Science concepts and curriculum.

The first video (below, left) demonstrates how 3D printing adds greater student comprehension and engagement to your Science classes. Makers Empire’s holistic approach includes 3D printing equipment, 3D modelling software, teacher resources including lesson plans and hardware training and support.

The second video (below, right) is Makers Empire’s Windy City lesson plan. Students will explore the need for renewable energy and identify wind as a source of renewable energy. As a class students, will 3D design and print a community that uses electricity generated from a 3D wind turbine to power the community’s lights.

Makers Empire 3D Solutions

Makers Empire’s 3D packages for schools include 3D printer equipment and resources such as easy to use 3D modelling software, curriculum-aligned lesson plans and professional development for teachers. Makers Empire currently works with thousands of teachers and hundreds of thousands of students in Australia, America, Europe and Asia so we have the expertise to help make 3D printing at your school a success.

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Makers Empire’s Science Curriculum

Makers Empire’s Lesson Plan Library contains 45 Science focused lesson plans, suitable for kindergarten up to grade 8 students.

All lesson plans have been created by experienced classroom teachers and are aligned to the Australian curriculum, including:

– Windy City: students learn about sustainable wind power as they create a town made out of 3D printed houses with lights powered by wind energy
– Natural Disasters: students use 3D design and printing to create solutions to problems created by natural disasters
– Colourful Bubbles: students learn about light as they create and use 3D printed bubble wands
– Which Herb is That?: students learn about growing herbs in their school garden and the create and print out 3D printed herb markers to use
– Keeping Your Cool: students learn about insulation and how to keep various food stuffs from spoiling by keeping them chilled at the correct temperature.

Browse the Lesson Plan Library.

Makers Empire WA Science Lab Package

The Makers Empire WA Science Lab 3D Package is tailored to WA schools interested in introducing 3D design and printing to their school as part of the Western Australian Curriculum Support fund. With our online hardware training, in-app and in-website chats and prompt email and telephone support, help is always at hand!

This packages includes:

Equipment:

– 3 x FlashForge Inventor IIs printers with air filtration system – safe for schools!
– 5kg PLA premium filament, non-toxic
– Shipping to your school

3D design and printing resources:

– Makers Empire 3D design software
– Hardware training and support via video call
– Over 130 curriculum aligned lesson plans
– Teachers dashboard – makes organising classes easy

How schools are using 3D printing to teach Science

How Redlands School students study space exploration and create a Mars rover with 3D printing
In year 5, students learn all about the different planets. They also learn about a space rover to Mars and the features of that rover. Students were asked to follow the design thinking cycle and design a space rover for a planet of their choice. They had to draw their design and then build it in Makers Empire and write a one-page essay explaining why their rover would be suitable for the planet of their choice. We then printed the rovers and students evaluated their designs. Read full case study.

How Grade 5 students at Scots College solve problems created by natural disasters with 3D printing
Students at Scots College carried out a series of inquiry-based investigations and experiments during their Science/HSIE unit on ‘natural disasters’. The students identified types of natural disasters and explored the common problems and issues they caused. They then designed and 3D printed a solution to a problem caused by the natural disaster of their choice, using the research they had conducted into its human and environmental impacts. Read full case study.

How Huntfield Heights students solve pollution issues in their local community with 3D printing
Keeping Our Community Clean involved the students researching different pollution problems in their local area, brainstorming different things that could help, and then drawing, designing and prototyping a solution. “It was wonderful seeing their excitement as they got to see there created items printed. This program is also great for problem-solving questions: it is great seeing students working together and creating things to solve different problems.” Read full case study.

Read more cases studies

THINGS TO CONSIDER RE: 3D PRINTING EQUIPMENT & RESOURCES

We’ve worked with thousands of teachers so we understand the needs of educations. Read our top tips regarding 3D printing equipment and resources.

There are many 3D printers on the market but not all are suitable for use in primary schools. Based on our extensive experience, Makers Empire recommends the following 3D printing equipment and resources for primary school educators wanting to include 3D printing as part of their Science laboratory:

– Equipment – 3D printer(s). Budget $1,000 – $2,000 per 3D printer. Choose 3D printers that are easy-to-use, reliable and enclosed, with air filtration.
– Equipment – 3D printer consumables i.e. 3D printing filament. Budget $40-50 per a roll. One roll usually lasts about a month. Choose PLA which is a non-toxic corn starch-based consumable suitable for a school environment.
– Resources – 3D printer training and professional development
– Resources – 3D printer support
– Resources – 3D printer support material
– Resources – 3D printing lesson plans for teachers so they can integrate 3D printing into the curriculum
– Resources – 3D design software. 3D printers do not come with design software so you will need separate design software. We recommend easy to use 3D design software suited to K-8 students.

What teachers think

Makers Empire provides everything you need to use 3D printing and design as an authentic and transformative teaching tool. But don’t take our word for it – see what fellow teachers say.

“…our staff were genuinely impressed… The Makers Empire 3D printing iPad app exceeded our expectations. The design and creative elements of this software have been carefully designed to engage children while opening up numerous educational opportunities and learning experiences. We loved the Teacher (Dashboard) with its support, ideas and integration of the Australian Curriculum. A great way to expose our students to this rapidly emerging technology that will have a significant impact on their lives.”

Stephen Corcoran, Director of Digital Learning

St Stephen’s School, WA

“A good way to get all students K-6 into understanding design, and the 3D platform in order to generate their design. Also the students like the idea of earning coin and purchasing elements for their hero. Students are very engaged. It promotes and consolidates mouse skills and mathematical concepts.”

Stein-Mavis Ward, Teacher

Narellan Public School, NSW

“The software has lesson plans based on many state standards with many modules to choose from. Maker’s Empire can be used to teach science, math and even art, K-12. The 3D-printing course was not as challenging as the grade level I was given — first graders!… However, their enthusiasm and absolute thirst for knowledge is awesome to see. They blaze through the challenging 3D lesson plans… Seeing the students faces when the IT team at BPY brings the 3D prints to the classroom is just something I can’t describe. The best part is while walking in the hallway with the huge iPad cart, some eighth graders ask who made that. I point to the first graders, who grin ear to ear.”

Shneur Garb, Teacher

Ben Porat Yosef Yeshiva Day School, New Jersey, USA

“This has been a wonderful new way to teach and motivate my students. They are so eager and excited to learn in this new way!… They are beginning to see real-life implications to what they learning to do in class and how they could develop prototypes of objects that they could develop and then produce to sell… At first, I preferred Tinkercad because I knew this software better. However, now that I have had some time to work with Makers Empire it is so much better. It does a much better job of showing you how to build and create. The challenges help tremendously!…The overall enthusiasm towards school and learning has increased tremendously. Students who are typically reluctant learners have come to life. One student was chronically absent and has now improved his attendance. He asks me each morning if he can get on the computer!”

Robin McGinnis, District Gifted Education Presenter

Mt. Healthy City School System, Ohio, USA

“I just wanted to let you know that Makers is up and running and the girls have come up with some wonderful ideas. I had them complete a design brief, first outlining something they’d like to design, create, manipulate etc. To help them do this I had them think of something that annoys them, they love, helps them, could potentially make life easier etc.”

Rebecca Burgmann, Junior School Teacher

Abbotsleigh School, NSW

“When I first looked at this MakeShop project — metal jewellery — other projects were starting to eat into my curriculum time. So I couldn’t find time for it. That’s when I thought, how can we build this into something more while making it realistic for the students? How can I incorporate as many KLAs (Key Learning Areas) into it that I can?… This has been a really good learning opportunity for students – it had more opportunities than I even realised… Students that I had trouble engaging – they surprised me the most. Because it was non-traditional learning, they got up and jumped in… There was one student whose pendant’s design kept getting knocked back (as not being physically suitable for printing) and he was getting really frustrated. When he finally got it right, he said, ‘Mr Drain, thank you so much for pushing me – you have no idea how good I feel right now.'”

Luke Drain, Classroom Teacher

Carlingford West Public School, Sydney

“The biggest benefit of Makers Empire is the ability to set design tasks for the class and giving more children a chance to design and make.”

Kathryn Rowlison, Teacher

Carlingford Public School, NSW

“This is an exciting initiative which we foresee will enrich the learning experience of Scots boys. The usefulness of the 3D equipment to the students is evident as their visualisations become reality.”

John Crerar, Head of the Preparatory School

The Scots College, NSW

“A supportive curriculum-aligned platform to support the learning of design thinking and 3D printing.”

Emma Ryan, Teacher

St Joseph's Primary School, Queensland

“We are certainly excited to begin investigating the possibilities this will open up to our students in multiple areas of the curriculum. The Makers Empire app makes it easy for our students to begin designing and appraising their creations and then gives them immediate feedback with the end result being their very own 3D model.”

Clay McCann, Deputy Principal

Labrador State School, Labrador, QLD

“I have worked with several design software but Makers Empire is the easiest to use… One of the best things students learned is that it is okay to not get the “right” answer the first time, or second time. Students know that “failing” is part of the design process and problem solving. Students have expanded their problem solving skills to think more outside of the box… Before, my students were limited in their STEM applications and designs due to financial issues and materials available. Now each student is able to have an account for their designs and can work at their pace which is meeting them on their individual need. Through this, my after school STEM club has gained interested to where students had to be put on a waiting list. Students have discussed participating in STEM clubs in middle school and high school as well as more interest in engineering type careers.”

Casey Corn, STEM Teacher

Chesnee Elementary School, South Carolina, USA

“Makers Empire is friendly towards all ability groups and help engage students who are less motivated to be working in the classroom. It gives students the opportunity to be creative and learn by trial and error in a digital format. On paper some students get disheartened when drawing designs and have to erase mistakes and makes their work look messy. Using this program it is simple to remove mistakes. I think this has been a fantastic tool to have in the classroom. I have many teacher friends and have actually shown them the program and they are all very impressed.”

Aaron Vigor, Teacher

Yankalilla Area School, Yankalilla, SA

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