Vroom Vroom Goes The 3D Printer

5/9/2015

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.

"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:

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.

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.