At BadgerBots’ summer camp, kids have the opportunity to dive deep into exciting STEM activities such as LEGO robotics, Minecraft modding, arcade game design, 3D printing and more. In the end-of-camp survey, a parent asked us how they can help their child continue their camp learning at home. In this blog post, we’ll answer this question for our 3D Printing & Design Camp for 8-12 year-olds.
BadgerBots’ 3D Printing & Design Camp
In this camp, kids bring their creative ideas to life by turning them into real, physical objects they can play with, hang on their backpacks, or show off at home. Kids learn the basics of 3D modeling, which require precision and patience, with personalized guidance from our instructors. Seeing their abstract ideas become tangible items helps kids understand concepts like geometry and engineering more clearly. Plus, figuring out why a print didn’t turn out as expected helps them improve their problem-solving skills, which is a big part of STEM learning.
Can 3D printing be done at home?
Yes, with some essential purchases and a fair amount of adult assistance, kids can
continue building on what they learned at BadgerBots' 3D Printing & Design Camp right
at home.
In our camp, we teach kids to create 3D models on Tinkercad, a free, web-based design and modeling tool. Its drag-and-drop interface is easy to use and perfect for beginners. Tinkercad offers many tutorials and guided lessons that help beginners and advanced users learn how to use the platform and improve their design skills. There are other alternatives to Tinkercad that cater to different needs and skill levels. As kids become more confident in their design abilities, they can explore these alternatives, allowing them to find the software that best suits their creative style and project goals.
While kids build their design skills, they can also begin learning how to use a 3D printer.
3D printing has three components: the printer, the material and the software. With entry-level 3D printers available on the market for $200 and up, some families may be able to afford to invest in this technology. Check out this article for advice on 3D printers for beginners.
The material that the printer nozzle heats up and lays down very precisely over and over on the flat plate of the 3D printer is called filament. BadgerBots purchases PLA (polylactic acid) filament in a rainbow of colors for our 3D printing camps, and PETG (polyethylene terephthalate) filament for our student robotics teams because it is more durable and can handle the higher stress of competitive robotics. We buy our filament from a Green Bay, WI company called COEX. They have an informative blog post with tips for getting started with 3D printing.
After selecting your filament type and color, the next step is choosing a 3D software known as a 'slicer.' This software transforms a 3D file into detailed instructions for the printer, guiding it on how to create each layer. Not every 3D printer can use any slicer software, but most slicers are compatible with a wide range of 3D printers. Two popular slicers that are compatible with many 3D printers are Cura and PrusaSlicer. We use PrusaSlicer at BadgerBots.
For those families that want to continue their child’s 3D printing journey, but don’t want
to take on the expense and challenges at home, BadgerBots offers solutions. First, your
child can take another BadgerBots 3D printing class, with each class building on the previous one to advance their skills. Our instructors, which include former and current competitive robotics students, frequently create innovative 3D-printed designs for their robots. Their enthusiasm for 3D printing and their hands-on experience make them excellent mentors who can inspire and guide kids as they explore their creativity and develop new skills. To find out when our next 3D printing camp is available, keep an eye on our website, and our Facebook and Instagram social media accounts. You can also sign up for our newsletter on our website. Second, if your child has a 3D design ready for printing, please reach out to us at info@badgerbots.org, and we can discuss printing your child’s design on our 3D printers for a small fee.
Conclusion
While it is possible for kids to keep learning 3D printing at home, navigating the equipment and software can be challenging. Enrolling them in another BadgerBots
camp offers a more structured and supportive environment for learning. Not only will your child gain valuable hands-on experience and mentorship from our skilled instructors, but they will also connect with peers who share similar interests. This fosters a sense of community and collaboration that enriches their learning experience. Whether you're looking for more hands-on classes or need to print a specific project, BadgerBots is here to support your child's 3D printing journey every step of the way.
Commentaires