Set The Hook.
Follow me:
  • Home
  • Fishin' Solo Blog
  • MTBoS
  • Table Talk Math
  • The Classroom Chef
  • Would You Rather...?
  • Meet the Fisherman
    • Resume
  • Flipping 2.0
    • Flipping Your Classroom
    • Troubleshooting a flipped classroom
  • Choose Your Own Assessment
    • Student Work Samples
  • Apps In Class
  • Pre-made Math Lessons

Vroom Vroom Goes The 3D Printer

5/9/2015

2 Comments

 
In case you missed it, the end of the school year is coming. Sooner for some than others, but hey - we all teach 180ish days, no matter how they're dispersed. This is the time where many teachers say they can "finally do their fun projects because testing's over". I'll see you after class to discuss how that's a ridiculous statement. Since we're on the subject, I know some of you have your paper chain already made up and ready, but please leave it in the closet this year. With 3D printing, kids won't want to leave your room. Nope, we're goin' RACIN'!

***CLARIFICATION*** Even if you don't have a 3D printer, you can do this activity with styrofoam, cardboard, old shoes... Just giving some ideas.
Picture
"PLEASE, NOOOOOOO!!!" Talk about a waste of paper.
Photo Credit: squeezeomatic via Compfight cc
This week, I became an uncle. Although I have two little hellians of my own, it was a pretty cool FaceTime conversation to see my brother's son all swaddled up in his hospital blanket, fast asleep and dreaming about how he's going to poop everywhere and drive his parents crazy. As I was watching him, I realized that I needed to make him something cool. Challenge Accepted:
Picture
Introducing "The Tuition Travel Truck"
In our family, it has been a tradition to give money to a newborn. Kind of pointless if you ask me, but I'm not one to break tradition. Instead of writing a check and handing it to my brother and his wife, it had to get kicked up a notch. With the Airwolf3D printer in my garage, this was a sure sign to fire it up and get creating. The image above shows the finished design in AutoDesk123 Design, but it took a few hours to get it right. The goal was to create something that the kid can chew on without choking (verdict is still out on that - hey buddy, just leave it alone 'til you're 12, k?) and serve as a fun toy for the rest of its existence.

The first design was far from good. I just tossed something together, much like students would do in a classroom project. It could have worked, but it wasn't awesome. I needed awesome.
Picture
Meh. Bleh. No thanks.
Back to the drawing board it was, and it's a good thing. Thanks to Rafranz Davis, there were a few minor errors I found in the design that would've messed up the print altogether. I finished up with the design, then started thinking about how cool of a lesson this would be to have students go through. 

3D Printed Race Car Derby
  • Students would design their own car within a set of constraints formed by the teacher
  • My design was 40mmx80mmx40mm and it's big enough
  • Students would be required to have a car with working wheels
  • Mine uses 3/32" aluminum rods as axles
  • Students would then race their vehicles on a course designed by the teacher or, better yet, the students themselves
  • The race car needs to hold a LEGO Minifig the entire time in order for the team to remain qualified
  • Fastest car, best throught he bracket, or whatever you decide, WINS!

Thinking of ways to end the year can be so much more than a PowerPoint project or making a poster littered with glitter (PLEASE NO!). 

This year, how about letting your students design their own car and challenging them to a race?

If you would like the full lesson plan (or even the .STL file for the truck and the undercarriage, please shoot me a message on twitter or drop a request in the comments. It's free.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Happy "Uncle Of The Year 2015" Fishing
2 Comments
Aimee Bates link
11/2/2015 08:34:15 am

Would love to see this implemented with students in our schools! And I would appreciate all the help I can get :)
Congrats on the nephew!

Reply
Jaime Lorance
5/5/2016 07:33:56 am

I have a 3D Makerbot Printer in my classroom. Students will be using TInkercad I think? I would love to see your lesson plan. Thank you!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Author

    Math nerds tend to have a reputation for being math nerds.  I'm here to continue that trend.

    For more blog posts, click HERE

    Picture

    Archives

    August 2021
    April 2021
    October 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos from timlewisnm, leppre, KristinNador, Jarosław Pocztarski, Martin Pettitt