Art & Literacy

• Idea: 3D Shape or Character Creation

• Focus: Students draw or use simple block-based apps to create basic 3D shapes or characters from stories.

Math

• Idea: Geometric Shape Exploration

• Focus: Print basic 3D geometric solids (cubes, spheres, pyramids). Students can paint, count faces/edges, and compare the physical objects.

Science

• Idea: Model Animal/Plant Parts

• Focus: Print models of insects, body parts (like bones), or life-cycle stages for a hands-on learning center.

Social Studies

• Idea: Miniature Community Models

• Focus: Print simple models of houses, cars, or landmarks to build a miniature town, understanding concepts of community and scale.

General Skills

• Idea: Tracing and Converting

• Focus: Students draw a simple 2D object (e.g., a snowflake), and the teacher uses software to convert it to a printable 3D model.

Math & Geometry

• Idea: Custom Geometric Tools

• Focus: Design and print rulers, unique dice, fraction blocks, or shapes to demonstrate concepts like area, volume, and tessellation.

Science & Engineering

• Idea: STEM Challenges

• Focus: Design and print a bubble wand to make multiple bubbles, a balloon-powered dragster for a competition, or different bridge designs to test structural strength.

Art & Practical Design

• Idea: Personalized Accessories

• Focus: Design and print custom keychains, zipper pulls, or unique bookmarks with their names. This reinforces measurement and functional design.

Social Studies

• Idea: Historical Artifact Replicas

• Focus: Research and print replicas of artifacts or architectural landmarks (e.g., a simple pyramid) to enhance cultural and historical study.

English/Language Arts

• Idea: Character or Scene Models

• Focus: Design and print a figure or object representing a key character or setting from a book they are reading to aid comprehension and creative writing.

Science & Biology

• Idea: Molecular or Cell Models

• Focus: Design and print accurate 3D models of molecules, plant/animal cells, or geological layers that can be disassembled and studied.

Engineering & Design

• Idea: Assistive Technology

• Focus: Use the engineering design cycle to identify a real-world problem and design a solution, such as a custom grip for a pencil or a specialized bottle opener for people with limited mobility.

Physics & Mechanics

• Idea: Functional Mechanisms

• Focus: Design and print objects with moving parts, such as simple gear systems, nuts and bolts, or a marble run segment, to study force, motion, and machine principles.

Mathematics

• Idea: Scale Models and Optical Illusions

• Focus: Design and print scale models (e.g., a scale replica of their school) or complex optical illusions to demonstrate advanced geometry and spatial reasoning.

Technology/Robotics

• Idea: Custom Robot or Drone Parts

• Focus: Design and print custom mounts, brackets, or chassis parts for a robotics project, learning about precision and fit.