Engaging Students From the Virtual World to Reality
My students need a 3D printer to be able to print their designs that are created in CAD software. Currently, they only see a virtual design, printing those designs would help greatly.
My classroom is a place where students can use their imagination to solve problems using basic engineering tools that we cover in class. There is no one right answer and creativity in developing answers is encouraged. Assignments are designed to engage students in thinking outside the box.
My students are a very diverse group, that bring very interesting and unique ideas to a course based on engineering design.
At the beginning of the course, most students seem to struggle with the idea that there is no one right answer to the problem. Most students are so used to applying one method to solve the answer, that projects are somewhat difficult for them to grasp. As the year progresses, it is exciting to watch them grow and truly embrace the projects even though the projects get more difficult. Most of the students from the engineering design course continue to take additional engineering courses offered at my school.
My Project
The materials would be used to create an actual product from their designs. We currently design a number of products using CAD software, but do not have the ability to create them. A 3D printer would bring their projects to the real world. My students are actively engaged in the classroom currently, but being able to print their designs would add a "real world" feel to the course that is invaluable. Students enjoy designing products in software, but to be able to touch their designs and see them work would be a fantastic addition to the classroom.
My students have created some excellent projects that would be very exciting to print and see how they actually work. If they could print their projects, many of my students would even be more motivated to explore new and exciting possible solutions. In the past, some students have worked incredibly hard to develop unique solutions, spending many hours out of class to ensure success. This equipment would foster that drive even more.
Engagement is one of the most important part of teaching a class.
A 3D printer would offer students the motivation to improve their engagement. Being able to touch and feel their projects instead of seeing a picture of those projects would help to engage all of the students in the class.
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