Author Archives: ascienceteacher

Life is Like a 3D Printed Marble Machine – 3DPrint.com

For all its useful and world changing applications there is one thing that often gets lost in the buzz about 3D printing. Sometimes it can just be about having

Source: Life is Like a 3D Printed Marble Machine – 3DPrint.com

How to Make Giant Bubbles with Guar Gum

Source: How to Make Giant Bubbles w/Guar Gum

Simple Silk-Screen Printing Using a Vinyl Cutter | Make:

Use adhesive “sign vinyl” to silk-screen without the aid of chemicals or a darkroom. It’s easy! The vinyl stencil can last for years and allows you to print dozens and dozens of images. Another clever hack from MAKE contributor Chris Connors.

Source: Simple Silk-Screen Printing Using a Vinyl Cutter | Make:

Retinal Imaging Made Easier With 3D Printed Adaptor – 3DPrint.com

It all started, as so many good things do, with a box full of fake eyeballs. A curious student doing a diploma in Ophthalmic Science in Auckland, New Zealand, w

Source: Retinal Imaging Made Easier With 3D Printed Adaptor – 3DPrint.com

More Than One Way to Skin a Leg — 3D Printed Covers for Prostheses Coming From KSU Students – 3DPrint.com

A group of 27 second-year students at Kansas State University’s Interior Architecture and Product Design Studio are heavily involved in a project to design

Source: More Than One Way to Skin a Leg — 3D Printed Covers for Prostheses Coming From KSU Students – 3DPrint.com

Working, Life-Size Car Built from Half a Million Lego Pieces | Make:

We’ve seen a lot of insanely great adult Lego projects over the years, but this one takes the cake. This full-size hot rod is the brainchild of Steve Sammartino, a young marketing guy from Melbourne, Australia and Raul Oaida, a 20-year old self-taught engineer from Romania that Sammartino met over …

Source: Working, Life-Size Car Built from Half a Million Lego Pieces | Make:

Voxel8 Designer 3D Prints an Incredible Electric Ukulele & You Can Too! – 3DPrint.com

When it comes to playing music, I have no talent whatsoever, no matter what instrument it is. My level of experience ends at playing the “finger drums” on my de

Source: Voxel8 Designer 3D Prints an Incredible Electric Ukulele & You Can Too! – 3DPrint.com

3D Printable Cannybot Racers Zoom into STEAM Education – 3DPrint.com

It has been apparent for a while now that North America must do a better job of training the next generation if they want to keep up with the growing tech fiel

Source: 3D Printable Cannybot Racers Zoom into STEAM Education – 3DPrint.com

Artists Sculpt Sweet Cityscapes out of Sugar Cubes | Make:

Over the past decade, Jamison has constructed a myriad of elaborate structures using nothing but sugar cubes and adhesive

Source: Artists Sculpt Sweet Cityscapes out of Sugar Cubes | Make:

Build This Inexpensive Linear Actuator from a Glue Stick | Make:

Build this simple linear actuator from a used glue stick, a servo, and a slide potentiometer.

Source: Build This Inexpensive Linear Actuator from a Glue Stick | Make:

April 28, 2015

April 28

Students have been printing – (in between taking state assessments.)

Check out some of their work…

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‘We print people’: The world of 3D portraiture – BBC News

‘We print people’: The world of 3D portraiture – BBC News.

This Week’s Top 3D Printable 3DShare Models for March 15-21, 2015 – 3DPrint.com

This Week’s Top 3D Printable 3DShare Models for March 15-21, 2015 – 3DPrint.com.

Ozo Bear is New Puzzle Take on Rubik’s Cube

Ozo Bear is New Puzzle Take on Rubik’s Cube.

March 5, 2015

3/5/15 – Maker Challenge

During the month of February, I challenged my students to make something. They had 30 days to build, draw, paint, create anything they wanted. I had 3 students pass in their creations on the last day of the month.

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Instagram Cubes By: Sabrina D.

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Melted Bead Window Hanging By: Jada R.

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Block Calendar By Sophia L.

Thingiverse – Digital Designs for Physical Objects

Thingiverse – Digital Designs for Physical Objects.

Boy Is Presented 3D-Printed Storm Trooper Prosthetic From The 501st, Vader’s Own Legion | TechCrunch

Boy Is Presented 3D-Printed Storm Trooper Prosthetic From The 501st, Vader’s Own Legion | TechCrunch.

Local Motors just 3D-printed a car live at an auto show | The Verge

Local Motors just 3D-printed a car live at an auto show | The Verge.

How a man used 3D printing to help treat his wife’s brain tumor

How a man used 3D printing to help treat his wife’s brain tumor.

Lego Awarded 3D Printing Patent, May Allow Users to Print Own Bricks – 3DPrint.com

Lego Awarded 3D Printing Patent, May Allow Users to Print Own Bricks – 3DPrint.com.

Seven life-changing surgeries made possible by 3D printing

Seven life-changing surgeries made possible by 3D printing.

3D printing can create more comfortable and affordable prosthetic limbs | Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

3D printing can create more comfortable and affordable prosthetic limbs | Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building.

NASA Just Emailed A Wrench To The International Space Station | IFLScience

NASA Just Emailed A Wrench To The International Space Station | IFLScience.

3ders.org – Teenagers develop 3D printed wristband that pauses and records live TV when you fall asleep | 3D Printer News & 3D Printing News

3ders.org – Teenagers develop 3D printed wristband that pauses and records live TV when you fall asleep | 3D Printer News & 3D Printing News.

3D Printed Sound Byte Magnet Frame Christmas Present | Make:

3D Printed Sound Byte Magnet Frame Christmas Present | Make:.

Derby The Dog Runs For The First Time, Thanks To 3D Printing

Derby The Dog Runs For The First Time, Thanks To 3D Printing.

Link

Thingiverse – Digital Designs for Physical Objects

Thingiverse – Digital Designs for Physical Objects.

3D Printed Google Glass Artwork – 3D Printing Industry

3D Printed Google Glass Artwork – 3D Printing Industry.

Conjoined Twins Separated w/ 3D Printing – 3D Printing Industry

Conjoined Twins Separated w/ 3D Printing – 3D Printing Industry.

These 3D-printed snacks grow their own fillings – CNET

These 3D-printed snacks grow their own fillings – CNET.

3DPrint.com – 3D Printer & 3D Printing News

3DPrint.com – 3D Printer & 3D Printing News.

Let’s Give the Kids A (3D Printed) Hand

http://www.popsci.com/lets-give-kids-3-d-printed-hand

How a man used 3D printing to help treat his wife’s brain tumor

How a man used 3D printing to help treat his wife’s brain tumor.

Local Motors just 3D-printed a car live at an auto show | The Verge

Local Motors just 3D-printed a car live at an auto show

via Local Motors just 3D-printed a car live at an auto show | The Verge.

Boy Is Presented 3D-Printed Storm Trooper Prosthetic From The 501st, Vader’s Own Legion | TechCrunch

Boy Is Presented 3D-Printed Storm Trooper Prosthetic From The 501st, Vader’s Own Legion

via Boy Is Presented 3D-Printed Storm Trooper Prosthetic From The 501st, Vader’s Own Legion | TechCrunch.

3D Printing Helps Artist Make Massive Bronze Sculptures | MAKE

3D Printing Helps Artist Make Massive Bronze Sculptures

via 3D Printing Helps Artist Make Massive Bronze Sculptures | MAKE.

Welcome to my page

It was recently suggested to me by my friend and 3D enthusiast, TJ McCue (3dRV.com) that I create a web page to chronicle my adventures with 3D printing with my 7th and 8th graders in my science classroom.

This is a work in progress so please forgive me since I will be starting this process from about a year ago when I first discovered that 3D printing would have a place in my classroom. I welcome you to follow along with me and my students as we embark on our  3D journey.

12/31/14

12/31/14

I was trying to remember when I first got the wild idea that my classroom needed a 3D printer and I think it all started at FETC 2014. Usually this is a time when I am completely overwhelmed with new tech and a million ideas of how I am going to incorporate all these new things into my classroom. My friend, fellow teacher and Discovery Education DEN STAR, Tracie Belt told me about all of the great things her librarians were doing at their school, Shorecrest Prep in St. Pete Florida. Check them out at: http://www.shorecrest.org/Page/Academics/Carleen-Vinal-Haskell-Library

I knew that I needed to find a way to get a 3D printer for my classroom. With all of the budget cuts our district was facing, I knew I would have to find my own funding. I wrote my first grant, 3D printing – Science, not Science Fiction and was awarded $500 through the Manatee Education Foundation Cash for Classroom Grants http://mefinfo.org/educators_schools/

Although $500 is a great start, I knew I would need more money and more information about how 3D printing would have a positive impact on my students’ learning.

Then out of the blue, my college roommate, Amanda Keniston of 3/Thirds http://think3thirds.com/ contacted me on Facebook on September 19, 2014.

Amanda told me about TJ McCue and his 3DRV project and that TJ was going to be touring in Florida in the next few days. I checked out TJ’s blog and posted on the 3DRV Facebook page that they needed to swing by my school. http://3drv.com

 

 

Well, by some miracle, TJ McCue, his wife Susan and son Joshua took a detour in their 3DRV and headed to Electa A. Lee Magnet Middle School in Bradenton.

Over 350 students filled the cafetorium and were completely enthralled for over an hour as TJ and his family told us about their 3D journey. From that point on, we were hooked…

 

DECEMBER 16, 2014 – Set up and First Print

Set Up and First Print

Needless to say I was super excited to set up the printer and start playing with it. I read the directions at home and figured out a good place to set up the printer in my classroom. I knew I needed a place where it was visible but not distracting and on a surface that was level and wouldn’t get bumped which could mess with the calibration.

I found a corner near the area in my classroom I dedicated to my “FAB LAB” Maker Studio. The printer fit perfectly, there was an outlet nearby and the printer would be in a place where students could access it if they were going to print, but out of the way so class could run without it being a huge distraction – I still have to teach science content after all.

I started setting up the printer at 9:30 and was done by 11:30 – I wanted to make sure that everything was calibrated and that I had read everything before I started printing.

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I did have to call customer support twice before I started printing successfully.

The first time I called was because I wasn’t sure of the voltage setting. I didn’t want to plug the printer in an then have it explode because I didn’t have the settings correct. I called the number listed on the directions and spoke to a REAL LIVE PERSON!! The support person, Brent, was very helpful and didn’t make me feel stupid with all of my questions.

The second time I called (and again spoke with Brent) was because I was having trouble with the settings. I decided to use ABS filament and although the directions told me the temperatures, I was having trouble with getting the filament to stick to the bed. Brent gave me suggestions to help with my problem and I ended up using a gluestick to help get the first layer of filament to stick. Apparently hairspray and Acetone work too – but all I had on hand were gluesticks so I decided to try that.

After taking a break I was ready to print. I downloaded an octopus from the Lulzbot site and started my first print at 2:00 –

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This is my finished product – about 2 hours later. Not bad for my first print.

10478531_10152970220221155_7024060083034300178_n My octopus (right) compared to the test octopus (left).

Here are some videos of the printer in action.

December 15, 2014 – Look what came in the mail

Look what came in the mail today!!! So excited. Time to read the directions and see how to set this thing up!

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December 10, 2014 – Order Placed

Ordered my Lulzbot Taz printer today.

I contacted Lulzbot to get a quote and they were very quick to reply and answer any questions that I had.  Now the hard part…waiting for my new printer to come in the mail.

Link

Make: – Volume 39 – Front Cover

Make: – Volume 39 – Front Cover.

November 18, 2014 – Lulzbot Taz

LulzBot TAZ 4 by Aleph Objects, Inc. awarded “Most Maker Machine” by Make: magazine

Open Source Hardware Enables High Performance
3D Printing and Respects User Freedom

This press release (along with a great recommendation from a friend) helped me decide to purchase the Lulzbot Taz 3D printer.

Check out the press release below…

LulzBotMakeAward

Here is a link to Lulzbot’s site: https://www.lulzbot.com/products/lulzbot-taz-4-3d-printer

November 17, 2014 – Terra Grant

TERRA GRANT!

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November 17, 2015

Just received a latter that I was awarded a TERRA Grant in the amount of $3000!!! This second grant will allow me to purchase a 3D printer and supplies for my classroom. Now to decide which printer to buy…

November 2014 – TJ McCue’s Blog Post

Thanks to TJ McCue for this Awesome Post!

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http://3drv.com/blog/2014-11-21-bekka-stasny-awarded-3d-printer-grant-for-electa-lee-students

Link

Why the Maker Movement Is Important to America’s Future | TIME

Why the Maker Movement Is Important to America’s Future | TIME.

October 2014, 3DRV Blog Post

3DRV Blogs about Visit to Lee Middle

TJ McCue Visits Electa A. Lee Magnet Middle School – Bradenton FL

Joshua, TJ, me and Susan in front of the 3DRV3D RV

 

Mr. Cooper, my Principal and I.

Screen Shot 2014-12-31 at 3.13.03 PM

 

 

Joshua’s mini 3DRV Blog

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Check out TJ’s blog entry about his visit —–> http://3drv.com/blog/2014-10-02-makers-to-be-at-electa-lee-middle-school

 

Bay News 9 Interview

September 2014 – 3D printing and 3DRV

3D Printing – Science, not Science Fiction

I was trying to remember when I first got the wild idea that my classroom needed a 3D printer and I think it all started at FETC 2014. Usually this is a time when I am completely overwhelmed with new tech and a million ideas of how I am going to incorporate all these new things into my classroom. My friend, fellow teacher and Discovery Education DEN STAR, Tracie Belt told me about all of the great things her librarians were doing at their school, Shorecrest Prep in St. Pete Florida. Check them out at: http://www.shorecrest.org/Page/Academics/Carleen-Vinal-Haskell-Library

I knew that I needed to find a way to get a 3D printer for my classroom. With all of the budget cuts our district was facing, I knew I would have to find my own funding. I wrote my first grant, 3D printing – Science, not Science Fiction and was awarded $500 through the Manatee Education Foundation Cash for Classroom Grants http://mefinfo.org/educators_schools/

Although $500 is a great start, I knew I would need more money and more information about how 3D printing would have a positive impact on my students’ learning.

Then out of the blue, my college roommate, Amanda Keniston of 3/Thirds http://think3thirds.com/ contacted me on Facebook on September 19, 2014.

Amanda told me about TJ McCue and his 3DRV project and that TJ was going to be touring in Florida in the next few days. I checked out TJ’s blog and posted on the 3DRV Facebook page that they needed to swing by my school. http://3drv.com

Screen Shot 2014-12-31 at 2.49.47 PM

Screen Shot 2014-12-31 at 2.51.11 PM

Well, by some miracle, TJ McCue, his wife Susan and son Joshua took a detour in their 3DRV and headed to Electa A. Lee Magnet Middle School in Bradenton.

Over 350 students filled the cafetorium and were completely enthralled for over an hour as TJ and his family told us about their 3D journey. From that point on, we were hooked…

Watch a video of Tj McCue’s Presentation

 

 

 

 

 

Link

Why the Maker Movement Is Important to America’s Future | TIME

Why the Maker Movement Is Important to America’s Future | TIME.