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Modules, Lessons, Labs - Overview and Introduction: Introduction to TinkerCAD and 3D Printing

TinkerCAD is a powerful, user-friendly online platform for 3D design, electronics simulation, and coding. It allows students to create digital 3D models and translate them into real-world objects using 3D printing technology. TinkerCAD's intuitive interface makes it an excellent tool for beginners in 3D modeling and Computer-Aided Design (CAD), providing a stepping stone to more complex design platforms and technologies.

In today’s world, 3D printing is revolutionizing industries like manufacturing, medicine, architecture, and even fashion. With tools like TinkerCAD, anyone can learn how to create detailed digital models and bring their ideas to life using a 3D printer. TinkerCAD and 3D Printing, introduces students to the basics of 3D modeling and printing, covering essential concepts such as object design, slicing, and the physical printing process.

• Learn the basic tools and functions of TinkerCAD for 3D modeling.

• Create simple 3D objects by manipulating shapes and geometries.

• Understand how to prepare models for 3D printing using slicing software.

• Explore the real-world applications of 3D printing across various industries.

• Gain hands-on experience in converting digital designs into physical prototypes.

By mastering these skills, students will be empowered to design and prototype their own creative solutions, learning how to think like engineers and designers in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Author: Jim Burnham - TopClown@STEAMClown.org. License: Distributed as Open Source. (With some ChatGPT thrown in for good measure) 

Prerequisites:

• No explicit prerequisite course work or coding knowledge is required, but students are expected to have a good understanding of basic computer principles and interested in gaining hands-on experience with TinkerCAD and 3D printing.

Caution & Safety  Considerations:

Primer:  "Aaron, I can imagine no way in which this thing could be considered anywhere remotely close to safe. All I know is I spent six hours in there and I'm still alive... You still want to do it?"

• As with any activity, please make sure you are using appropriate safety equipment.   If you are coding, writing, reading, or working a lab, make sure you stand up and stretch every hour or so,  Please consider any safety issues connecting to a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, computers and other electronic equipment.

Essential Questions:

1. How can we transform digital designs into real-world objects using 3D printing?

2. How does the geometry of a 3D model influence its strength, functionality, and aesthetics when 3D printed?

3. What are the key steps in turning a digital design into a 3D-printed object, and how can we optimize each step?

4. In what ways can 3D printing be used to impact fields like medicine, architecture, fashion, and engineering?

Key Academic Vocabulary or Concepts:

TinkerCAD:

1. Workplane - The flat, grid-like surface in TinkerCAD where students build their 3D models. It acts as a reference plane for positioning and aligning objects in the design.

2. Primitive Shapes - Basic 3D shapes such as cubes, cylinders, spheres, and cones that serve as the building blocks for creating more complex models in TinkerCAD.

3. Grouping p - The process of combining multiple shapes into a single object. Grouping simplifies complex designs by merging shapes into one cohesive structure.

4. Hole - A feature in TinkerCAD that allows students to remove parts of an object by turning a shape into a "hole" and combining it with another shape to cut or carve out portions.

5. Align - A tool in TinkerCAD used to position objects relative to one another with precision, ensuring symmetry and proper placement in the design.

6. Snap To Grid - A feature that enables users to move objects in increments based on the grid, providing control over the precision of movements and alignments while designing.

7. Ruler Tool - A tool that allows students to measure distances and dimensions of objects in TinkerCAD, helping ensure accuracy in scaling and positioning designs.

8. Scale - The process of resizing objects in TinkerCAD by adjusting their dimensions along the X, Y, or Z axes. Scaling allows students to increase or decrease the size of their models proportionally.

9. Mirror - A tool that reflects an object along a specified axis, allowing students to create symmetrical designs by duplicating and flipping parts of their models.

10. Export - The function that allows users to save their TinkerCAD models as files (e.g., STL, OBJ) that can be used for 3D printing or imported into other CAD software.

3D Printing, and CAD:

1. CAD (Computer-Aided Design) - A type of software used to create precise drawings and models of objects in two or three dimensions. In 3D printing, CAD tools like TinkerCAD allow users to design objects that can be printed in the real world.

2. 3D Modeling - The process of creating a digital representation of a three-dimensional object using software. In TinkerCAD, students learn to manipulate shapes to create detailed models.

3. Slicing - The process of converting a 3D model into instructions (G-code) that a 3D printer can follow, breaking the model into thin layers for printing. Slicing software is essential to prepare designs for printing.

4. Extruder - The part of a 3D printer responsible for melting the filament and laying down the material layer by layer to create the printed object.

5. Filament - The material used by 3D printers to create objects. Common filament materials include PLA and ABS plastics, which are melted and deposited during the printing process.

6. STL File - A common file format for 3D models, typically used for 3D printing. STL files represent the surface geometry of a 3D object without any texture or color.

7. G-code - A language used by 3D printers to follow specific instructions for the movement of the printer's nozzle, controlling where and how material is deposited during the printing process.

8. XYZ Axis - The three-dimensional coordinate system used in 3D modeling and printing. The X-axis represents horizontal movement, the Y-axis represents vertical movement, and the Z-axis represents depth or height.

9. Supports - Temporary structures added during the slicing process to support parts of a 3D model that overhang or would be printed in mid-air. Supports are removed after printing.

10. Infill - The interior structure of a 3D-printed object. Infill settings determine how much material is used to fill the inside of a print, affecting strength, weight, and print time.

Unit Topics and Lessons

Text Books, Reference, Tutorials & Other Online Resources:

Lectures, Lessons, Labs:

Reference, Attribution & Resources:

Teachers - Unit, Module and Lesson Plans

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Standards Alignments & Objectives:

I’ll work on getting these in, but it’s the last thing I want to work on :-) When I have them updated, I’ll move to the top of the Lesson Plan. 

• NGSS: <list standard numbers>

• California CTE Standards: <list standard numbers>

• Related Instructional Objectives (SWBAT):  <list standard numbers>

• CCSS: nnn, RSIT: nnn, RLST: nnn, WS: nnn, WHSST: nnn, A-CED: nnn, ETS: nnn  <list standard numbers>

• Main Standard:

• Priority standards:

• National Standards:

Resource Attribution:
Sites Referenced or Summarized:

• Reference Text Book - Basic College Mathematics with Early Integers 4th edition - Elayn Martin-Gay - University of New Orleans - Pearson

• Reference Sites - 

Images:

• https://imgbin.com/png/ZJtzkYZZ/under-construction-png

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Random Stuff To Sort

Resource Key:

<Unit> - <Module Name> - Lessons - Daily/Weekly Lesson Plan

Key: 📰 Slides / Audio 🎧 / 📽️▶️ Video/YouTube / 🎧▶️📽️ Audio/Video / ✨ Resources /  🖼️ Tutorial / 📖 Reading Activity / 📝 Writing Activity / 📖 📝 Reading/Writing / 📟 Coding / 🛠️ LAB Activity / 🚀 Quiz /  🔎 Review /  ✔️ Mastery Check / ✍️ Sign Up /🍕 Extra Credit / 🕸️ Web Links / 👩🏽‍🎓🧑🏽‍🎓🧑🏿‍🎓👩‍🏫 Class / 🏵️📜📃 Certificate / 🗂️ 📈 Collecting Survey Data

/🧟 Review / 🦾 Practice / 🆙Level Up /

🎚️🦑📤🎯  🚧

- 🦑 Special Project -

Assignment Type: ⚓ Establishing (Minimum Standard) / ⛏️ Developing (Digging Deeper) / 💎 Aspiring (Putting It Together)

This is an ⚓ Establishing Assignment (Minimum Standard)  - "Everyone Do" Assignment

This is an ⛏️ Developing (Digging Deeper) - "Everyone Should Do, To Stretch" Assignment

This is an 💎 Aspiring (Putting It Together)  - "When you have done the ⚓ Establishing and⛏️ Developing" Assignment

• 🚀 Formative Quiz - 🔎 Review

• 🚀 Quiz -🔀 Mastery Path

• 🚀 Summative Quiz -✔️ Skills Mastery Check

Quiz - verify that they are all listed as a "Formative", "Mastery Path", or "Summative" 

• 🚀 Formative Quiz - These are quizzes that the students can take a few times. I have them either set for unlimited times, or 3-5 times, where the final score is their average. The idea is that these Formative Quizzes are designed for students to learn and master a skill.  while I want them to ger 100%, and when it's set to unlimited tries, the student should get 100% eventually.  When the quiz is set to 3-5 tries with an average, then they should be prepared and should take the quiz seriously. I set the quiz to not show the right answer, but I do let them see their wrong answer.  I also put the explanation of the right and wrong answer in the right and wrong answer prompt for each question.  That way they can see why they got the answer wrong and learn from that experience.  

  • 8.1.0.3.2.4 - Python - Ch 3 - Functions - Quiz #2 -Built-In Functions - 🚀 Formative Quiz

• 🚀 Quiz -🔀 Mastery Path - These Mastery path quizzes are to be presented after the student has had a chance to do some labs and some Formative quizzes.   The goal is to let students have 2 chances to take this quiz, and take the average of the 2 attempts.  Based on the average, they will be presented with a Canvas Mastery Path, where they will have an option for take additional quiz and assignments to help with remediation.  This will get them ready to take the Summative Quizzes.

  • 8.1.0.3.3.1 -  Python - Ch 3 - Functions - Mastery Quiz #1 - 🚀 Quiz -🔀 Mastery Path

• 🚀 Summative Quiz -✔️ Skills Mastery Check - These Mastery path quizzes are to be presented after the student has had a chance to do some labs and some Formative quizzes.   The goal is to let students have 2 chances to take this quiz, and take the average of the 2 attempts. That will be their final module/subject topic grade.

  • 8.1.0.3.3.1 -  Python - Ch 3 - Functions - Skills Mastery Check Quiz #1 - 🚀 Summative Quiz -✔️ Skills Mastery Check