Scotch College in Adelaide is one of the latest schools teaching its students 3D design and printing via the Makers Empire 3d design and printing Learning Program.
This is a strategic move on the College’s part as more and more schools are now using 3D design and printing to achieve significant learning outcomes for their students.
Last year, education think tank NMC Horizon Project, issued the NMC Horizon Report 2013, identifying a variety of factors outlining the uptake of 3D printing in achieving learning outcomes in STEM related disciplines.
These include:
- making abstract concepts tangible;
- developing spatial intelligence;
- broad cross-curricular applications. For example, you can design, make and make different kinds of products (applicable to Arts, Design, Economics, ICT); and
- stimulating students’ imagination, creativity and independent thinking.
Primary school students at Scotch College Adelaide are already experiencing these learning outcomes, with classes from reception, year 3, year 4 and year 6 using Makers Empire 3D design and printing app.
The app is designed to be used by children aged 4+ and requires no knowledge of sophisticated software or technical expertise.
In Semester 2 of 2014, Scotch College students completed Makers Empire lesson plans including:
- designing decorations for a Christmas Tree where students were required to include three different shapes in their designs;
- discussing and designing caterpillars based on the life-cycle and anatomy of the all-time childrens’ classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar; and
- an easy and fun introduction to 3D printing which taught students how they can design and make things themselves with their tablets, how physical objects can be made with 3D printing, and the real-life applications of 3D printing in different industries.
Lap Leung of Makers Empire commented, “At Scotch College Adelaide we saw first-hand how quickly teachers and students can design for 3D printing with the Makers Empire 3D design app.”
“Instead of using pen and paper to illustrate their ideas, students can now quickly create and present using 3D design and printing, which is far more powerful and engaging. Designing in 3D also helps to develop important mathematical, problem-solving, creativity and spatial awareness skills,” he said.
Makers Empire helps K-8 teachers teach Design Thinking, STEM and 21st-century learning skills using 3D printing. Our pioneering 3D solutions for schools include 3D modelling software, over 150 lesson plans aligned with international standards and professional development. With Makers Empire, engaged students learn how to solve real-world problems and make their world better.
