We need a MakerBot 3D printer and PLA plastic filament for our maker space. We have done research into different manufacturers and found this one to be the most reliable.
We are the technology help desk students, who are looking for ways to help our school start a maker space program. We have done extensive research on various maker space projects, and noticed that our school has a whole would greatly benefit from a 3D Printer. The community of our high school would benefit greatly with the use of a 3D printer, as it opens up our school of nearly 2,000 kids to a new platform to express their creativity through technology.
We have many classes, clubs, and organizations who could benefit from having the ability to 3D print. For example, the visual arts program could use the 3D printer to create sculptures and other forms of 3D art that could give them a better understanding of the art than a picture from a textbook. The technology classes could use the 3D printer to take a more in-depth look into how coding is used to make machines operate. Our computer design classes would be able to print their own TynkerCAD designs. These examples are just a small glimpse of the opportunities that would come from a 3D Printer at our school, enhancing our learning experience as a whole.
Having a 3D printer for our new maker space will allow students to experience a cutting edge technology that is being used in a wide variety of professions. Students using the Makerbot 3D printer and filament will be printing not only the designs of others, but will gain the opportunity to print their own 3D designs. Using computer assisted design software will give students a better understanding of the real-life problem solving that is integral to the design process. Not only will they learn the design process but they will also be able to see their own designs become a reality. Students will learn skills that are necessary in their future careers and will also gain insight into revisionary cycles of the creative process.
In Their Own Words
We are trying to improve the influence of technology in this school. By doing so we hope to lay the foundation of computer literacy for the future of the students. At our high school, we strive in laying a foundation for learning and improving life skills for the future of the students.
When we get this 3D printing device we will be given more ideas and thoughts on what we can possibly build for the school and our students. This could lead us to help bring in more students and enrich the technological expertise of current students. For open house we could create school symbols and other such products to entice the thoughts on what can be done with the printer itself.
This project will allow the students at our school to be given complex technical challenges. We could think about structural integrity in a brittle material such as a thin strip of plastic to be as strong as steel. We could investigate the complexity of seemingly simple technology. All of this and more can be possible through the use of a 3D printer!
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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 Ms. Conrad and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
