3. Week 03

3-D Printing

Process:

For the 3-D printed object assignment, I designed a pair of egg and alevin models of trout stages to be used as teaching manipulatives. I decided to work in tinkercad, because I had used this program previously and was interested to see how the designs translated to 3-D printed objects.

I found it difficult to design organic shapes with the stock Tinkercad shapes and ended up working to design my own details with a lot of trial and error. The most difficult area to build was the vein on the trout egg. I found it difficult to get the vein close enough to the surface of the egg mostly due to not being able to arc the vein object around the sphere. I was pleased with my ability to accurately display the eyes on the outside of the egg. This is the most prominent feature of the egg stage, and I wanted it to be tactile for the younger classes.

For the alevin, I chose a joint from the pre-fab menu, selecting the option that would best represent the limited movement of the alevin body of the trout while still attached to the yolk sac. The ball joint only allowed for an up-and-down movement that mimics how trout alevin are able move their tails to move along the river floor during this stage of development.

Reflection:

Are you planning to use the fabricated object in your classroom? If so, how?

I like the tactile I created, but I would like to continue developing the shape and functionality before introducing it as a manipulative. If I could print the outer shapes with a clear filament, and then the inner contents with a bright filament, I think it would be a better teaching aid since much of the exploration at this point in the trout’s development is about what’s inside the egg.

Think on a learning activity involving 3D printing. How could it be aligned with your curriculum / standard? What are the challenges?

The cost of materials are the biggest challenge for 3-D printing at MCS.

Have you started an educational portfolio? Why or why not? . In your opinoin which are the advantages of having these education portfolios? How do evaluate success a learning activity and how do you keep track of possible modification/improvements ideas?