Just try to visualize what your students are creating. They describe it, they draw it, but wouldn't it be wonderful to actually see a model of what they have developed. Imagining is one thing, seeing is another and a 3-D printer can make an idea concrete.
I teach a very creative group of fifth grade students in a New York City public school.
We live in Queens, a borough known to be one of the most diverse in the United States. Our children come from all over the world and so many languages and cultures are represented in our school community. Our diversity comes with global expectations as the families look to our school to provide the best education so that their children will be successful. In order to do that we try to bring the best resources to the children. Innovation and creativity that are part of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) are highly valued by our families as we participate in many STEAM competitions. These activities encourage students to imagine something new and describing and drawing these innovations are part of our many projects. How incredible it would be to create a model through the use of a 3-D printer that could give us something tangible to enhance our vision.
My Project
We would be thrilled to have a 3-D MakerBot printer in our classroom. This is the cutting edge technology that could make what is imagined into something concrete. Our children have incredible imaginations but the ability to present a model printed from well thought out plans is breathtaking. I could never have thought such a thing was possible and would have loved to have such a printer when I was in school. This is the very tool that can be an engine driving imagination and new ideas. What an incredible development. MakerBot would transform the classroom into a STEAM laboratory in which students would "print" their latest models. Homework to innovate and create something new, develop plans and well thought out projects with a 3-D printer to realize those plans would change the educational landscape of our classroom. The thought of actually having this in a classroom is so exciting.
A 3-D printer in a classroom in a New York City school?
Is this even a possibility? We are so hopeful that we can acquire such an amazing tool that we're getting our projects ready for press. We're still trying to believe that this is a machine that can come into a classroom. This pushes the boundaries of education to a new high. We are ready to learn with the latest technological learning tool and hope this can become a reality. Thank you, MakerBot, for this incredible opportunity.
Half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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