Participation Guidelines

Global Mystery 3D Print Challenge

The Challenge: Students create a “Mystery Cube” with 3D printing software. The cube should have clues about the design team’s location (ie. city, country, coordinates, etc.). The file is then emailed to a moderator, who will send you another “Mystery Cube” file in exchange. Students will have one week to use the clues given on the new “Mystery Cube” to figure out where it came from. The answer will be emailed to the teacher at the end of one week. Mystery Cubes can come from anywhere in the world!

The Basics: Email a “Mystery Cube” file, get a “Mystery Cube” file. Participants have one week to find out where it originated

Who can participate? Libraries, schools and makerspaces with an educational purpose. All you need is access to a 3D printer computer and an internet connection. You must be at least 18 years of age to email the moderator. Participants can be from any country but all correspondence will be written in English.

Why participate? The ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards have Student Standard #3:Knowledge Constructor-students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others. Engineering with design in mind is supported by many STEM Education organizations like the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), ITEEA (International Technology and Engineering Education Association) and the National Academy of Engineering's (NAE) Engineering Habits of Mind

Does it cost to participate? No cost for the pilot study, you maybe contacted later for an interview on how you use the project.

When does it Start? Sept. 9th, 2019-April 30th 2019

When do I get the files? Exchanges take place every Every Friday night. Submissions need to be in by 8pm, and exchange cubes will be sent by Monday morning 8am CST.

Where do I email my mystery cube? Fill out this form, and it will give you the link to the file at the end. It will ask for your name, email, title/position, organization, city, state/province, country, and how many students you serve.

When will I get the answer to the mystery cube or a reply from your initial inquiry? A week from your first email.

Can I participate more than once? Yes, if you submit a new file each time.

What type of file should I send? Any STL file will work on any 3D printer. Keep in mind that some groups may have very basic models and not be able to print fine details.