Using and understanding 3D printers in schools - Key Resources

Using and understanding 3D printers in schools
Ages 11-14 years
First published 2014

3D printers are fast becoming commonplace in rapid prototyping and manufacturing and are proving to be essential tools for testing and realising designs in product design. Since the introduction of stereo-lithography in the 1980s the idea of being able to print out designs from CAD programmes and scanned images has captured the imagination of people in the design industry and wider world.

Recent technological developments have made 3D printers an affordable tool for schools and many have bought printers or are considering this as a way of producing high quality outputs and of inspiring and engaging students in their work. A 3D printer is not a design tool in itself, but the opportunity to realise an idea and see and handle a finished product that previously existed only on screen or in the student’s mind has helped stretch their understanding of the possibilities of design and provide solutions that were previously outside the scope of most schools.

This comprehensive resource contains a series of four PowerPoint presentations looking at:
    Machines and processes
    Using 3D printers in schools
    3D design software
    Learning about 3D printing: an explanation of the process for students

Each contains many references, links to YouTube and a range of websites and teacher notes that will help explain how the knowledge can be applied in designing and manufacturing outcomes.

This resource is an additional resource to the D&T Key Resources range of materials. Key resources have been developed to help teachers teaching students in years 7, 8 and 9 by providing a full set of lessons and support materials.

This is a downloadable version of a product previously available on DVD.