Students will explore different software applications for creating a complex 3D prototype design(s). In teams of team 2-3, students will brainstorm ideas for replicating and/or customizing designs for common objects that are used to solve routine problems. Examples might include designing prototype car – chassis, wheels, etc. that gets assembled after printing, a prototype of ergonomic furniture, a revolutionary scooter prototype, etc. Detail in specifying measures for design elements becomes essential to successful builds.

Students will use 123d Design and/or Sketchup to “solve” their problem. Objects will be imported to Meshmixer for final tweaking and prepping for 3D printing.

Projects then get uploaded to the ePortfolio on a page (kid to 3D Design 2 Build) with the assignment title, the above description of the assignment, the .jpg perspectives, and a reflection statement (what did you do – restate the task, how did you do it – process, and how do you think it turned out).

For mine and Dana’s group project we made a playground with a swing set, monkey bars, a slide and a see-saw.