3D Printer Lessons and Task Cards

Using a 3D printer in the classroom allows students to problem solve, create, and use their imagination…if used correctly.

One of the things I found most difficult after I bought two 3D printers for my media center was finding authentic educational ways to use them to enhance instruction. After a year of exploring, tinkering, and using the 3D printers I was amazed by how many existing lessons could be extended using them.

This is a collection of 12 lesson ideas to use with your 3D printer. The lesson ideas can be used with any 3D printer and 3D software of your choosing. The lessons are meant to be an extension of what is learned in the classroom and/or designed to be the cumulating activity for a research project or experiment. These are not step by step ways to use your 3D printer software since I have found the best way for students to get comfortable with 3D software is for them to explore the software. I have included links to various software as well as instructional videos to assist students.

Two files are included; a full size paper version and a smaller set task cards version.