For teachers wanting to introduce or expand 3D design and printing in their classrooms a serious look at the resources under the PrintLab Classroom platform is warranted. Last year saw some great new features added to the platform including a new portal just for students and lesson plans were bolstered with lesson plans for designing in Fusion 360 as well as Tinkercad.
The platform will see continued improvement in 2021 with additions of new lesson content including a number of new resources incorporating 3D scanning.
If you haven’t trialled the PrintLab platform in the past or if you wanted to revisit it, drop us a line.
1. make:able international student challenge.
Up until 1 April 2021 the make:able challenge is open to classes or students around the globe giving them the task to design and make a product or prototype that improves the day-to-day life of someone who struggles with mobility in their hands.
This is a great initiative to get students thinking about how they can bring practical solutions to better the lives of others through the design process.
A teacher toolkit is available, and as a bonus to doing something worthwhile, there are some great prizes on offer.
To find out more about the make:able challenge just contact us and we’ll send you out more information.
2. Let’s bring 3D scanning to the classroom.
From March you are going to see a number of lessons hit the platform designed to help educators bring 3D scanning into the classroom. With content covering ergonomic design, assistive technology, orthotics and wearable technology, there are sufficient themes there to engage most learners.
We know that not all schools have access to a 3D scanner, and to accommodate this on the platform will be 3D scan data to work with.
3. Fusion 360 tutorials.
The Printlab platform is well known for its quality teaching resources in Tinkercad. We take you through not just the use of the software but how to manage your class group on the platform. Over the past 12 months added to our resources have been a number of Fusion 360 tutorials that accommodate older students wanting to experience industry-standard software whilst still at school. Over 2021 you’ll see further Fusion 360 content added.
4. Resources for Libraries and Maker Spaces.
PrintLab is not only a great resource for schools, but it also can be of assistance to community libraries and maker spaces. For 2021 we’ve developed a new licence option for these settings. Contact us for further details.