Coding for kids 3D printing curriculum is a great way to combine learning to code with 3D printing. In this lesson pack, your classes will learn the basics of 3D printer, how they work, where they are used and the benefits they bring to society. They will also learn how to create models to send to the 3D printer using TinkerCAD code blocks, based on scratch programming by MIT. This is free to use and is cloud-based so students can work on their models at home and in class.
As part of the curriculum, there are 7 lessons in total with 3 of those lessons solely focused on learning to code 3D models using TinkerCAD code blocks. The lessons start at a complete beginner level and gradually get more challenging leading up to a ‘coding design challenge lesson’ where your classes apply the skills they have learned to demonstrate their understanding.
What’s in each lesson?
Lesson 1 – An introduction to 3D printing. This introduces your student to 3D printing, the basic parts of a 3D print, where they are used and the benefits they bring to society.
Lesson 2 – The 3D printing process. This teaches your students the key terminology in the process that makes up 3D printing e.g. the process of creating models, how X Y and co-ordinates link to 3D printing, the concept of slicing 3d models and then output to a 3D printer.
Lesson 3 – An introduction to coding. In this lesson, your classes will learn how to create basic 3D models using TinkerCAD code blocks. This program uses scratch programming and is the most widely taught program in schools when learning how to code.
Lesson 4 – Developing coding skills. This lesson builds upon the students’ basic skills and teaches the concept of repeat patterns and tessellations in coding.
Lesson 5 – Coding Design Challenge. This lesson teaches students more complex coding skills and includes a series of coding challenges for children to complete. These are differentiated into Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum challenges allowing for learners of all abilities to progress in the lesson. Every challenge comes with full coding instructions.
Lesson 6 – Basic materials and slicing. The learning topics include ‘what materials are used in 3D printers, their environmental impact and why bioplastics are commonly used’. Also, students learn how to prepare models for 3D printing by slicing them using free slicing software.
Lesson 7 – Assessment. This is where your classes will sit an end of course test where they have to answer questions on all topics that they have learned over the 7 lessons.
All resources are ready to teach straight ‘out of the box’. Resources include teaching powerpoints, student worksheets, video demonstrations, home worksheets, 3D models to print and answer sheets. Files are editable as well, but we find out the majority of teachers deliver our lessons unchanged.
