Timeline
4-6 Hours
Design Challenge
You will be using a online 3D design application called TinkerCAD. You will start by completing a series of lessons to learn more about using TinkerCAD.
Once you are familiar with how TinkerCAD works, you will be designing a three dimensional object to be printed using a 3D printer. Before you are allowed to print, your object should meet the following criteria:
Your object should be useful and solve an everyday problem.
Your object should not exceed 10cm in height, width and length.
Your object should be unique. You can base your design on ideas found elsewhere, but there should be some part of your design that makes it unique.
Once you are familiar with how TinkerCAD works, you will be designing a three dimensional object to be printed using a 3D printer. Before you are allowed to print, your object should meet the following criteria:
Your object should be useful and solve an everyday problem.
Your object should not exceed 10cm in height, width and length.
Your object should be unique. You can base your design on ideas found elsewhere, but there should be some part of your design that makes it unique.
The Design Process
1) RESEARCH
For this project you need to learn how to use TinkerCAD and how to design effective 3D printable objects.
For a quick introduction to TinkerCAD watch the video below.
For this project you need to learn how to use TinkerCAD and how to design effective 3D printable objects.
For a quick introduction to TinkerCAD watch the video below.
and 3D design can be quite complicated. Its important to practice using TinkerCAD to see learn about how to perform different tasks.
TinkerCAD has a series of lessons and quests that you can complete to learn different skills. Start with this lesson and complete as many as possible before you start trying to design on your own.
Of course you can click create new design to open a blank workspace to practice what you have learned.
You will need do sign-in to access TinkerCAD. If you have an email address you can create your own account. If you prefer to access a shared class account, ask your teacher.
TinkerCAD has a series of lessons and quests that you can complete to learn different skills. Start with this lesson and complete as many as possible before you start trying to design on your own.
Of course you can click create new design to open a blank workspace to practice what you have learned.
You will need do sign-in to access TinkerCAD. If you have an email address you can create your own account. If you prefer to access a shared class account, ask your teacher.
2) BRAINSTORMING
Once you have successfully learned the basic of 3D design its time to create a design of your own. On great way to find ideas is to see what others have done.
Thingiverse is a library of 3D projects. Explore thingiverse to get ideas from other designers.
Once you have an idea (remember the three criteria that are part of this design challenge) create a sketch of your idea that is to scale. This will help you to choose reasonable measurements when working in TinkerCAD. Estimate the length, width and height of different shapes that are part of your design. Basic shapes like cubes will be a lot easier to work with then complex shapes like curves.
3) MODELLING AND PROTOTYPING
In general its easier to start with a basic idea and to add details and improvements then it is to start with an extremely complicated design.
You may wish model your design with a material that is easy to work with like cardboard or modeling clay.
Once you have thoroughly sketched out your design its time to build it in TinkerCAD. Some ideas may look good on paper but not work out during the design stage. If your design isn't working out, its okay to go back to the drawing stage and to revise or simplify your original idea.
Once your design is complete, speak with your teacher about downloading it to be printed.
4) SHARE
Great scientists and inventors know that it is important to share your discoveries. Please film and take photos of your final product and follow the instructions below for reporting on this assignment.
Share Your Learning
Designing is about the process not about the product. Even if your rocket did not succeed, you should be sharing what you learned during the design process.
Use your digital portfolio to reflect about your progress at least once a week. Your posts can be in any form including:
A short paragraph (about six sentences)
A short video (about one minute)
A detailed diagram (use paper or a whiteboard and take a photo)
A series of photos that show progress
One easy way to know what to post is to complete a self interview.
At some point throughout your reflections you should address the questions below.
Before You Begin:
What ideas do you have about what kind of object you want to design?
What factors will you need to consider for your object to work as intended?
After Researching:
Do you have any ideas about how to get started with your design in TinkerCAD?
Do you have any questions, worries or obstacles about using TinkerCAD?
After Prototyping
Explain the purpose and function of your design.
Use a photo or video to show how your ideas progressed when planning your design.
Use your digital portfolio to reflect about your progress at least once a week. Your posts can be in any form including:
A short paragraph (about six sentences)
A short video (about one minute)
A detailed diagram (use paper or a whiteboard and take a photo)
A series of photos that show progress
One easy way to know what to post is to complete a self interview.
At some point throughout your reflections you should address the questions below.
Before You Begin:
What ideas do you have about what kind of object you want to design?
What factors will you need to consider for your object to work as intended?
After Researching:
Do you have any ideas about how to get started with your design in TinkerCAD?
Do you have any questions, worries or obstacles about using TinkerCAD?
After Prototyping
Explain the purpose and function of your design.
Use a photo or video to show how your ideas progressed when planning your design.