PrintLab Pioneer

Hi! I'm Nathan Swaim - STEAM Academy Teacher at North Wilkes Middle School (USA). I have always been fascinated with 3d printing as a whole but never used it until I started teaching. I got a job in the CTE department and my room had a 3d printer in it and I decided to start playing with it and loved it!

STEAM Teacher

How my Students use 3D Printing

I teach grades 6-8 and I use 3d printing as a unit in my class every semester. In the past 6th grade does small projects such as the spinning top and the puzzle cube. 7th grade creates self-watering planters. 8th grade creates a suspension bridge. I tie in the units with what the students are currently learning in their science and math classes so that it is able to bring real world experience to what they are learning about in class.

The Importance of 3D Printing in Education

I think 3d printing is an amazing tool to use in school. When we are able to print a students work that they are able to hold and touch it really brings their work to life. With enough preparation you can tie in 3d printing into almost any unit that you are working on.

My Thoughts on PrintLab Classroom

I have used many of the lessons in my classroom already. Students that have little to no experience with TinkerCAD start with the spinning top. It is a very easy lesson and just gets the students use to manipulating the program. I really enjoy the balloon powered cars lesson for 7th grade and the self-watering planter. For 8th grade and students that are experienced they work on creating the suspension bridge with just the diagram that is shown on PrintLab.

My Advice for Teachers Getting Started with 3D Printing

Play with it! Don't be afraid of failing. I could show you many many examples that I created that did not print correctly. You will never learn if you don't try!