6 min read
Make the printer part of the curriculum
The printer is most valuable when projects are tied to what students are already learning. Each idea below fits an existing subject and can be adapted for different ages. Keep designs small so a whole class can print in a few days.
Math and science
- 1. Geometric solids: students design prisms, pyramids and Platonic solids, then measure volume and surface area of the printed shapes.
- 2. Fraction and graph models: print fraction circles or 3D bar charts from real class data.
- 3. Molecule models: design atoms and bonds to build water, methane or DNA segments for chemistry and biology.
- 4. Cell models: print a plant or animal cell with removable organelles.
Engineering and technology
- 5. Bridge challenge: design a bridge with a filament weight limit, then load-test it to compare designs.
- 6. Gears and simple machines: print gear trains and levers to explore mechanical advantage.
- 7. Robot parts: design brackets, wheels and sensor mounts for the school robotics club.
Humanities and arts
- 8. Topographic maps of Jordan: print the terrain of Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea region or the students' own city from free elevation data.
- 9. Historical landmarks: model and print scaled versions of Petra's Treasury, Jerash columns or the Amman Citadel for a history project.
- 10. Arabic calligraphy name plates: students design their names in Arabic script as desk signs or keychains.
Tips for running class projects
- Set size limits (for example, fits in a 5 cm cube) so printing time stays manageable.
- Have students check designs in the slicer preview before sending them to the printer.
- Keep a print queue and a log so every student knows when their part will be ready.
- Grade the design process and reflections, not only the finished print.
Stock up locally
Class projects use more filament than expected. Jordan Automation stocks PLA filament in many colors, classroom printers, 3D pens and spare parts in Amman, with delivery across Jordan.
Frequently asked questions
How long do classroom projects take to print?
Small projects of a few centimeters usually print in 20 to 60 minutes each. With size limits, a class of 25 can often print all projects within a week on one or two printers.
Where can teachers find free 3D models?
Many free model libraries include education sections. Designing from scratch in Tinkercad is usually more valuable for learning, though.
How much filament does a class use?
Small projects often use only a few grams each. Keep one or two spare spools in popular colors so a project is never stopped by empty filament.