Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/396235
Learning P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y S C O T T B U S C H M A N gradually emerge under glass as the printer emits layer upon layer of plas- tic, each approximately 300th of an inch. When completed, the puzzle pieces will snap together and rotate, the student says proudly. A n o t h e r s t u d e n t h a s c r e a t e d a different sort of puzzle — a plastic loop shaped like a doughnut with balls that roll inside. How did the balls get inside the seamless shell? It was designed as a single piece and printed out. Having access to a 3-D printer increases students' enthusiasm for STEM, says Kendell, Saddleback Valley Education Association. Stu- dents use them in his "rapid prototype development" and advanced engi- neering classes. His large printer cost about $20,000; a smaller one, less than $3,000. Both were purchased with grant money. "The 3-D printers give kids an opportunity to take mathematical for- mulas and give them substance," he says. "They make math and science relevant — and of course students are also using engineering and technology." Students agree 3-D printers make learning fun. " I t ' s p re t t y co o l a n d g ive s yo u a w h o l e d i f f e r e n t o u t l o o k o n a career path," says Chris Koziol. "I think that made me choose to go into engineering." "They're really fun," says Julia Mihaylov. "It's amazing how detailed you can make things come out. You definitely want to be precise because it takes a lot of time for things to print out and you want to do it right." Kathryn Hall uses a 3-D printer in her 10th-grade engineering design class at McClymonds High School in Oakland. It was donated to the inner-city school from Chevron. "I teach the ele- m e n t s o f d e s i g n , a n d C A D [ c o m - puter-aided design] software basically lets them design anything three-dimensionally on the computer. Then they print. It takes away the paper aspect of designing." It is all very cutting-edge, adds Hall, Oakland Educa- tion Association. "I'm learning along with my students, and we're part of a team. It's wonderful to be learning and figuring things out together. It also relates to Common Core. Kids are The 3-D printers give kids an opportunity to take mathematical formulas and give them substance. Fred Kendell 3-D printers can make math and science relevant. Students like LeeAhan Smith, Oakland, are also using engineering and technology. Education trends 40 www.cta.org