3D Printing Nature-Inspired Solutions to Real-World Problems
Help me give my students the opportunity to produce their vision of nature-inspired solutions to real-world problems through a 3D printer and the filaments necessary to create their models.
My students are pioneers in studying Biomimicry, a science of nature-inspired design to solve human problems. Nature has been effectively and efficiently finding solutions to problems for over 3.8 billion years. Engineers are now working closely with biologists to mimic these natural, sustainable solutions. My students are learning about this new discipline by completing design challenges, where they are given a real-world problem and must discover a solution by mimicking how nature solves a similar problem.
Every year, roughly 60 students are enrolled in the Biomimicry course.
My students are among the most enthusiastic, inquisitive, and creative. They are considered pioneers because Biomimicry is taught as a stand-alone course in very few public schools in the United States. They walk into my classroom with limited to no knowledge of what Biomimicry is and leave looking at nature through a new lens.
My Project
STEAM education is paramount in encouraging American students to become competitive innovators in the world. With a 3D printer, my students will be able to take their visualized nature-inspired solution to a real-world problem and make it a reality. In the Biomimicry course, students are given a challenge (i.e. How do we build a durable, yet lightweight vehicle?) and look to nature to help solve that problem (i.e. a beehive structure is both durable and lightweight).
Through a STEAM curriculum, students are continuously encouraged to be innovative and Biomimicry allows for this to happen.
If a 3D printer was available, the students would have been able to use software to design and create a physical model mimicking a beehive rather than build a model using toothpicks and tissue paper.
Official Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer with Glass Plate, Upgrade Cmagnet Build Surface Plate and UL Certified Meanwell Power Supply Build Volume 220x220x250mm
• Amazon Business
$279.99
1
$279.99
PLA Filament 1.75mm, ERYONE Filament PLA 1.75mm, 3D Printing Filament PLA for 3D Printer, 1kg 1 Spool, Silver
• Amazon Business
$22.99
1
$22.99
PLA Filament 1.75mm, ERYONE Filament PLA 1.75mm, 3D Printing Filament PLA for 3D Printer, 1kg 1 Spool, Black
• Amazon Business
$19.99
1
$19.99
PLA Filament 1.75mm, ERYONE Filament PLA 1.75mm, 3D Printing Filament PLA for 3D Printer, 1kg 1 Spool, Orange
• Amazon Business
$19.49
1
$19.49
PLA Filament 1.75mm, ERYONE Filament PLA 1.75mm, 3D Printing Filament PLA for 3D Printer, 1kg 1 Spool, Red
• Amazon Business
$19.49
1
$19.49
ERYONE White PLA 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm for 3D Printer / 3D Pen 1kg (2.2LBS)/Spool
• Amazon Business
$19.49
1
$19.49
PLA Filament 1.75mm, ERYONE Filament PLA 1.75mm, 3D Printing Filament PLA for 3D Printer, 1kg 1 Spool, Blue
• Amazon Business
$19.49
1
$19.49
PLA Filament 1.75mm, ERYONE Filament PLA 1.75mm, 3D Printing Filament PLA for 3D Printer, 1kg 1 Spool, Gray
• Amazon Business
$19.49
1
$19.49
Materials cost
$420.42
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.31
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$456.73
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$80.60
Total project goal
$537.33
Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. DeLeon and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
