3D lessons plans

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Print time: 1 - 2 hours
• Subjects: Design and Technology, Science, Mathematics

In geometry, a Platonic solid is a convex polyhedron (a polyhedron is a geometric solid whose faces are each flat polygons) made up of one type of regular polygon. There are five Platonic solids: the tetrahedron, hexahedron (cube), octahedron, dodecahedron and icosahedron.

Archimedean solids, as first described by the ancient Greek philosopher Archimedes, are convex polyhedra that can be made up of two or more types of regular polygons. There are 13 Archimedean solids.

In this lesson, pupils will find the angles for a variety of both Platonic and Archimedean solids before modelling 3D connectors (couples) to construct each shape using wooden dowel rods (or other suitable materials).

• Duration Lesson 1 : 60 minutes, Lesson 2: 60 minutes
• Print time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Subjects: Biology, Design and Technology, Science, Mathematics, Computing

The human body contains over 10,000 different bacteria. The majority of them are beneficial to our bodily functions and day-to-day lifestyles, however that is not always the case. In this lesson, students will learn about the classification of bacteria, as well as the effects of a range of good and bad bacteria and pathogens. Students will then be challenged to conduct observations and analysis of S. lactis bacteria before reproducing them as 3D models for printing.

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Print time: 0,5 - 2 hours
• Subjects: Design and Technology, Science, Geography, Computing, Mathematics

Topography refers to the shape, height, and depth of the land surface in a place or region. Physical features that make up the topography of an area include mountains, hills, saddles, valleys, gorges, etc. In this lesson, pupils will design and print a 3D relief model for a chosen natural landscape.

• Duration lesson 1: 90 minutes, Lesson 2: 45 minutes
  
• Print time:  4hours per cube 
• Subjects: Design and Technology, History, Mathematics
  

In this lesson you will be challenged to design and print a braille cube. To start, you will learn about braille, its history and origin and how it is used today. You will then design the 3D model and print it. Using your model, you will create letters to challenge your friends and to write your name.

• Duration:  Lesson 1: 90 minutes, Lesson 2: 90 minutes
• Print time:  6 - 8 hours
• Subjects: Design and Technology, Mathematics, Science
  

In part one of this lesson, you will learn about Promethean thinking and the four-step problem-solving cycle. You will then be challenged to model a standard six-sided die, before breaking it down into nine cuboid components. But the challenge doesn’t end there! In part two of the lesson, you will be challenged to reassemble your die from its components, firstly on instinct, and secondly by following the problem-solving cycle. Once you have successfully reassembled your own die, it’s time to swap with your classmates and see who is the quickest in the class!

• Duration:  90 minutes
• Print time:  5 hours
• Subjects: Design and Technology, Science,  Mathematics, Computing, Geography
  

A cartogram is a map. But it is a unique type of map because it combines statistical information with geographic location. In this lesson, students will design and print a 3D cartogram model using statistical data sourced from the Internet.

• Duration Lesson 1: 90 minutes, Lesson 2: 90 minutes
• Print time:  1 - 4 hours
• Subjects: Design and Technology, Art and Design, Science, Mathematics

In this lesson your challenge is to create a technical drawing that measures up to professional standards. You will start by designing a 3D model of your choice and then 3D printing it as an object. You will then use a corner projection station to produce three 1st angle orthographic projections of your object. Finally, you will use these projections to produce a detailed technical drawing of your object. You can even challenge a classmate or colleague to reproduce your object from the drawing!

• Duration Lesson 1: 90 minutes, Lesson 2: 90 minutes
• Print time:  50 minutes
• Subjects: Design and Technology, Mathematics, Science, Geography

In this lesson, you will learn about the different forms and classifications of symmetry. You will then progress to learn about the 7 primitive crystal systems, including how to classify them based on their features of symmetry. Next, you will need to research the tetragonal and hexagonal crystal systems before designing and modelling a hexagonal dipyramid for 3D printing. Finally, If you manage to master all that, the next step is to classify a real-world mineral by its crystal structure and model it.

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Print time:  1 - 2 hours
• Subjects: Design and Technology, Science, Mathematics, Computing

Stereometry is a branch of mathematics for three-dimensional solids and the relationships between them. When a plane intersects a cube, there are a variety of shapes of the resulting cross section. In this lesson, students will learn how to construct a cube cut in a free parallel projection before recreating the resulting polygon (cross section) in CAD.

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Print time: 90 minutes
• Subjects: Biology, Geography, Mathematics, Computing

In this lesson you will be challenged to design and print different coastline feature models. To start you will learn about where coastlines come from and all the different ways these are formed. You will then design the 3D model and print it. Then using your model along with the premade coastlines feature models you will test how water interacts with different coastlines.

• Duration Lesson 1: 90 minutes, Lesson 2: 45 minutes
• Print time:  6 hours per box
• Subjects: Design and Technology, History, Mathematics, Geography, Science

In this lesson you will be challenged to design and print a box designed for interchangeable coastline feature models. To start you will learn about where coastlines come from and all the different ways these are formed. You will then design the 3D model and print it. Then using your model along with the premade coastlines feature models you will test how water interacts with different coastlines.

• Duration Lesson 1: 90 minutes, Lesson 2: 90 minutes
• Print time: 20 hours
• Subjects: Biology, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology

In this lesson, you will be challenged to design and print a portable water filter. To start, you will learn about the portable water treatment process, how wastewater is cleaned before being returned to the water cycle and how portable water filters work can be improvised from materials that can be found lying around. You will then design and model, in 3D, a portable water filter before printing and assembling it. Then using your 3D printed filter, you will attempt to filter some ‘contaminated water’ to a clean.

• Duration Lesson 1: 90 minutes
• Print time: 1 - 2 hours
• Subjects: Design and Technology, Mathematics, Computing, Science

In geometry, cubic units can be defined as the units used to measure volume. In this lesson, pupils will learn how to calculate the volume and area of a variety of complex 4 x 4 x 4 rectangular prisms before modelling the missing parts of each rectangular prism in TinkerCAD®.