jeff bailey 3D printing language arts 10 years took over Maine Rural

http://www.gofundme.com/mountain-valley-engineers
In our small rural high school, students in my engineering classes have been exceeding our expectations, and our budgets. With the help of donations and some grant support last year, we were able to get a 3D printer. This device allows students to take 3D designs and models they have created and to "print" them out of plastic (PLA). This technology has revolutionized the classroom. Students need only conceive of an idea to improve a product or to find a solution to a real world problem and they can print the object and hold it in their hands. This makes learning real.


instructional technology
programs and books
kids went way faster than the books
it was motivating them somehow to create
i tried not to be the expert anymore
i needed more ways to push them
biggest regret always design but no tangible outcome except for a sketch
rural high poverty school. some challenges.
middle trades class.
there was this thinking if you don't know how to do math,
STEM week for teachers connectons between the two.
3D printer, maybe someday in the future.
Donors choose had a deal with auto cad for makerbot replicator 2,
social media friends, facebook, matching fund
had never used one. some kids use with sketch up
and pixlr
classes fine arts
common core generally focuses on math and english.
clear targets and standards rubrics,
specific to modeling prototype testing
ties in with Design thinking.
engineering students
how can we solve a real world issue, problem
men's room, one no door, one no latch.
we can print that,
measure, will plastic be durable enough.
budgets not very big, no budget for replacement plastic.
can they print something that will be marked up and sold to fund future projects.
kids all want custom iphone cases thingiverse. hire an engineering student to fund additional plastic. print something to thank funders, key chains, a chess set custom military history buff. but i already had you, come in after school for no credit, student mentored elementary school kids.