Each lesson in the Beginner 3D Printing Lesson Pack is designed to last approximately one hour and is fully editable, allowing teachers to adapt content to suit their students.
All worksheets and homework tasks include answer sheets, enabling self-assessment and peer assessment. This helps reduce teacher workload while actively involving students in assessment for learning.
The lesson pack includes 7 TinkerCAD modelling challenges, starting with a guided tutorial in Lesson 1. By the end of the course, students will be confident using basic CAD tools and able to create files ready for 3D printing.
Lessons include a combination of:
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Step-by-step written tutorials for model creation
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Video tutorials demonstrating how to use TinkerCAD
TinkerCAD is free, browser-based software, so no downloads or installations are required.
The course balances practical CAD modelling challenges with theory content, helping students understand both the technology of 3D printing and the principles behind how it works.
By the end of the course, all students will be able to:
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Recognise what a 3D printer looks like
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Describe where 3D printers are used in society
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Explain why 3D printing is becoming widely adopted
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Describe the basic principles of how a 3D printer works
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Explain how X, Y and Z coordinates relate to 3D printing
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Identify the key stages involved in creating a 3D printed object
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Define CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture)
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Create a basic model using free CAD software (TinkerCAD)
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Apply fillets and chamfers to models
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Export a model as an STL file
Most students will be able to:
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Explain the benefits of using 3D printing to manufacture products
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Identify potential issues with 3D printing materials
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Design a basic model to scale using given measurements
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Modify the size of CAD models
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Flip and duplicate features
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Slice an STL file using slicing software
Some students will be able to:
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Explain why 3D printing is more widely used in industrialised nations
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Describe the difference between CAD and CAM in more detail
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Complete the Platinum Design Challenge