Tinkercad Projects for Beginners

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Teachers are always trying to find new, fresh ideas to get their students learning. With technology constantly advancing it can sometimes be hard to keep up with it all. But as a STEAM Teacher, that’s my job! One area that is growing at a rapid rate, is 3D-printing. A variety of companies are using it - NASA, medical, automotive, industrial, military, and the list could go on.

I’ve mentioned before that as a teacher, it’s my job to expose my students to a multitude of career fields because how are they to know if they are interested in something if they’ve never even heard of it? This is exactly why I do 3D-printing in my classroom with elementary schoolers! And guess what - they’re all beginners. Everyone has to start somewhere and the beginning can be the best place to start!

So what 3D-printing projects can I do with students who have no experience with CAD systems (computer aided design systems - a software architects use)? That’s easy. I break down the content to something that is relatable to them.

  • bubble wands

  • backpack key chains

  • personalized game pieces

  • parts to a larger project that students are making

  • dice

  • letters of the alphabet

  • bookmarks

  • a toy for a younger child

  • model of animal that a student is researching

  • luggage tag

By using Tinkercad, students are able to manipulate pre-made shapes, draw their own shapes, and add details as they see fit. Since Tinkercad is a software for beginners, my students can go into a project with zero knowledge of even the concept of 3D-printing and come out with designs that are fully printed. Your students can be just like mine - going into the project not knowing what 3D-printing was and came out having designed a unicorn bubble wand. So be that unicorn in a sea of horses.

Do you want to learn more about what exactly Tinkercad is? Then check out my blog post - Tinkercad.

Do you want to see how I’ve been using 3D-printing to help my local hospitals during Covid-19? Then read my post - 3D-Printing for the Community.

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