6th Grade Design-3D Models and Printing

 

The Design team held two excellent classes in which 6th graders learned how to improve their skills with the 3D modelling application, Tinkercad which they are using to design and produce plastic components for their mobility challenge solutions.

The lessons included a discussion of a bogus design (one that was created without following best practices) and printing that design. In doing this the students could see how important it is to correctly align and prepare designs to be printed, which allows for the resulting models to work as intended, be the right size, and also have the proper layout to obtain the best outcome.

In the second part of the session, students worked with basic geometric shapes to create joints that could be easily incorporated into their projects, offering simple and elegant solutions.

The project aims to provide solutions for people with mobility issues, which are more affordable, better suited to their needs, or easier to use than existing alternatives.

3Doodler Pen and Making in the LRC-Update

We have been using the 3doodler pen for the last few months with our 8th grade classes as well as in the Maker Club after school each week.

The 3Doodler Pen is a cost efficient tool that works wonders at inspiring students to design and create.

Some of the students have enjoyed it so much that they have brought a friend or two along to the club, and are coming everyday after school to work on their own projects.

It is fair to say that these kids are an inspiration to others. They have found something they love, are spreading the word to others and are creating projects of their own design.


Here are a some additional pictures of the work done by the Maker Club students (left) as well as the 3D Glasses created in ICT lessons (below).





If you look closely enough you will see that there are two different styles, depending on the template they chose to work with. On the left we have Harry Potter Glasses and on the right Hipster Glasses.

SketchUp Walk Through Videos in ICT and English

Each year our students work on a piece of writing in English lessons in which they describe a character's mind as a room. Once they are done the recreate these rooms in SketchUp as models, creating some of the components as well, and record a walk through video. This year they worked on rooms for the characters from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet as well as S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders.  

The following playlist contains walk through videos from the last 3 years, starting with those which were done in 2013. We hope you  enjoy them.

3D Worlds in KS3

We have been working in virtual worlds in both 6th and 7th grade this month and it has been a roaring success.  It is a sign that you've hit it right on, when kids don't want to leave a lesson and groan when the bell rings, and this is usually what happens when we teach with virtual worlds.

This is the first year we have used PoraOra virtual world with any of our classes. Prior to this we had always used WhyVille to introduce our students to educational virtual worlds and to teach web safety and netiquette. The people at  PoraOra have worked hard to build educational in-world activities  that are linked to the British Key Skills for KS2. PoraOra is full of fun games that help students review and build their skills across subjects. For our 6th graders most of it is review and practice, and they have great fun doing it.

My Horses

In 7th grade we are working with Reaction Grid for the second year running. Our 7th grade students are having a great time learning how to get around, exploring different regions and learning how to build in 3D with their avatars. We have even found a bit of time for shopping at Gridizen's market and customising avatars.

So far the building has been very simple as students learn how each basic shape can be modified, how to import textures and how to link prims together to create complex objects. Our objectives are many, learning how to get around, communicate and build in a 3d environment are core. Very soon however we will be applying these new skills in a very special way. Our students are going to research and then commence the construction of an environmentally friendly homestead. They will do so collaboratively with over 100 students working on it in total.

It is a very exciting project and the first time around for us in attempting something so ambitious. We will play it by ear and if needed, slow down and continue it next year. One thing is certain, the students and the teachers working in RG are thrilled with this project as were the 6s were with PoraOra, to the point of ushering a collective groan every time the bell signals the end of the lesson.

     

The February Newsletter is Out!

Please click on the image below to access the full newsletter.  We hope you enjoy it. We would love to hear back from you, so please take a minute to write us a comment.

Mrs. Garcia