1 Week Beginner Camp

Day 1: Introduction to 3D Printing & Tinkercad Basics

• Icebreaker Activity: Students introduce themselves and share something they’d love to design.

• What is 3D Printing? An introduction to how 3D printers work, what designs are suitable for printing, the different types of filament, and the slicing process.

  • Show & Tell: Explore real 3D-printed objects and discuss how they are created, from digital design to final print.

• Tinkercad Basics:

  • Create an account and navigate the interface.

  • Learn essential tools: moving, scaling, and rotating objects.

• Mini Project: Design a custom nametag for a lanyard, incorporating text and basic shapes.

• Wrap-Up: Export files and begin slicing for 3D printing (prints will run overnight).

Day 2: Learning Shapes & Combining Objects

• Recap of Day 1: Review key takeaways and showcase the completed nametag prints from the previous day.

• Design of the Day: Layered Fidget

  • Learn how to combine and align shapes in Tinkercad to create a layered fidget design 

  • Explore scaling, resizing, aligning, grouping, and duplicating to create the design

  • Slice the design and prepare it for printing.

  • Students select their filament type and color for their prints.

• Start Printing Projects: Begin printing the Layered Fidget designs while discussing troubleshooting tips.

Day 3: Designing Multi-Part Models that Assemble

• Recap of Day 2: Review how to combine shapes to create complex objects and showcase the Star-Shaped Layered Fidget prints.

• Design of the Day: Balloon Dragster

  • Learn how to design multiple parts that will be assembled after printing.

  • Focus on precision, alignment, and tolerances

  • Slice the design and prepare it for printing.

  • Students choose their own filament type and colors for their dragster parts.

• Print Projects + Troubleshooting Basics: Begin printing Balloon Dragster parts while discussing troubleshooting techniques for common printing issues.

Day 4: Problem-Solving & Practical Design

• Recap of Day 3: Review Balloon Dragster prints and discuss multi-part design and assembly.

• Design of the Day: Articulated Creature

  • Learn how to create a simple articulated creature with moving parts.

  • Focus on designing interlocking, print-in-place connections that allow movement.

  • Slice the design and prepare it for printing.

  • Students will choose their own filament type and colors for their articulated snake.

• Print Projects + Troubleshooting Basics: Continue printing and troubleshooting Articulated Creatures prints, focusing on ensuring proper movement and part alignment.

Day 5: Revision, Free Design & Camp Showcase

• Recap & Revision: Students have the opportunity to revise and improve any design from earlier in the week.

• Free Design: With guidance, students can create a new project of their choice using the skills they've learned.

• Final Printing: Complete the last prints of the camp.

• Camp Showcase: Each student presents their favorite print from the week, explaining their design process and challenges.

• Wrap-Up & Awards: Celebrate the week’s accomplishments with certificates and recognition for each student!