Students have a 3D-pen. Teacher shows how the pen works and students start with easy freehand drawings. When everybody knows how to use pens, they can move to more complex structures.
| Subject | Computer Science, Arts |
| Length | 90 minutes (2 x 45 minutes) |
| Pedagogical Approach | Haptic Learning, Technology-Assisted Learning |
| Competences | Decomposition |
| Grades | 3rd-6th grade |
| Technologies | 3D pen and equipment |
Other Materials Needed
3D pens and PLA-plastic string. ABS can produce carcinogens and it should be avoided. Easy and complex models can be found from the internet and printed with a normal laser printer. See for example https://learn.the3doodler.com/stencils/ or https://www.3dandprint.eu/3d-stencils/.
Laminated practice pictures
The Assignment’s Target Competencies
- Students learn to perceive three dimensional structures and understand the order in which their parts should be created
- Students understand that the parts of the desired objects need to be connected in a certain order to make it possible to construct the structure
Description
Introduction
The students are introduced to 3D pens. Pens have to be preheated and the PLA plastic loaded in. Students are shown how pen operates and given a warning about the hot tip and hot plastic. (5-10 minutes)
Αctivity 1
Students practice the use of the pen by creating 2D objects. They are given a laminated practice picture. The 2D object is created by tracing the practice picture. The created objects can be used for example to decorate the classroom.
Discussion: When students are done, they can wait for the drawing to cool down and they can put it on the wall for everyone to see. Students can talk together how they did different parts (10 minutes).
Αctivity 2
Students can draw a picture with pencil or crayons. The picture is shielded with a laser printer transparency film and can be traced then. (20-30 minutes)
Discussion: When students are done, they are pretty familiar with the 3D pen already. Teacher shows a pre-drawn set of things and then joins them to a 3D object. (VIDEO) (5-10 minutes)
Activity 3
Teacher gives students models to choose from and students can start to draw the parts. After drawing, the parts are glued together with the 3D pen (30-60 minutes). The drawing is done in a similar manner as before except that once the 2D objects have cooled down, they are detached and ‘glued’ together using the pen (see the video). Students can keep drawing throughout the year and they will definitely constantly come up with new ideas.
