What 3d program and printer for teaching middle school kids?

[Specter3]

I teach 7/8 science at a small school. Our director has let me run with some ideas for increasing our stem(science, technology, engineering, and math) activities. We have a coding class which I am going to move toward coding arduino and putting together circuits to use their programs. I am also really wanting to get a basic 3d program(sketchup?) that we can use to introduce students to 3d modeling. This would include at least one 3d printer so the studentscan print what they designed. I am currently talking about two printers, one lower end for basic shapes, and a higher end model for finer work. We are an entrepreneurship school with an emphasis across the whole school on creating businesses and what it takes to make them work. We have a number of kids with actual businesses that really do make some money on an ongoing basis. The 3d stuff can play right in to this in creating products that can be marketed or used to market other things. And oh yeah, by the way, I can use the gear after hours. So there is that perk. We will have a new lab room that is going to be called the “Creative Lab” and I am pretty much in charge of what will be in there. I really think the 3D modeling and printing will make for a great program for our kids. If you have any ideas about what I can put together package wise that will make sense in a middle school setting, I would appreciate it.

[Mark W]

Depending on your budget, the Prusa Mk3S is probably your safest, most reliable option.  There are definitely very reliable and cheaper options, but when something inevitably breaks or goes wrong, you'll spend less time  troubleshooting and getting the Pursa back online than you will any other printer. 

I would also look int Tinkercad for students.  Very simple, free, and even browser based.  Might not be able to model some complex things as easily, but then the software that can is no where near as easy to navigate and learn as Tinkercad.   
https://www.tinkercad.com/

[Lemosteam]

"We are an entrepreneurship school with an emphasis across the whole school on creating businesses and what it takes to make them work."

This being the case, I am inclined to agree with Mark W.

My son showed me the other day that Tinkercad has a code verification capability to test circuits before you even build the breadboard!  VERY cool and intuitive which would be great for your current plans.

Don't skimp on the printer.

I would also call Dassault Systemes or Unigraphics to see if they have a Student lease program for older versions of Catia or UG respectively that are server based (as opposed to a full blown Catia/UG License). 

While in 7/8th grade Tinkercad would be a great entry point to CAD, as these students grow in knowledge and inventiveness, they will need a much stronger CAD tool to realize the true potential of their creativity.

As a bonus you will be rounding their skills for a potential design or engineering job if they were to choose that.  Having that skill right out of High School, will put them leaps and bounds beyond other candidates.

You could base the entire year's CAD curricula around the literally thousands of Youtube videos every specific Catia command and its overall use, meaning you cold learn the tool right along with them.  Even as a daily 30 year user (I sound like an addict), I still lean on some of the videos to hone my own skills.

Seriously, I envy you, and kudos for convincing your leadership to take this path.  They will not regret it and neither will the kids.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Can I enroll?

[samusi01]

Take a look at Autodesk’s Fusion 360 as well. They have some sort of education program (I am not versed on the details as I am not eligible). Fusion 360 is a fairly capable program and cloud based.

Sam

[John]

There is a science teacher on youtube that has a series on using tinkercad ..   https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tinkercad+school+project+ideas

[CRL]

Middle school? Try using a whip & a chair! Up Simba, up!

[Specter3]

@CRL yeah, there are times like that. But then there are times where I get to coax, cajole, and praise a kid into having an A average in my class, and get to see and hear her reaction as I message it to her today. She said it has been a long time since she had an A. You get a few of these moments and each one makes all the rest of the crap worth it.

I will be looking into the CAD programs mentioned. Thanks!

Ryan

[GimpLizard]

While I hate to say this... I would suggest Solidworks, by Dassault (https://www.solidworks.com/). (Even with 18 years if SWX experience, I'm personally not a fan of it.) However, it is the industry standard, and they sell a "student" version for around $100 (https://www.solidworks.com/product/students). Might as well teach them on the software they're most likely to use, should they pursue that field in later years.

A CAD program I am happy to suggest is KeyCreator, by Kubotek. (https://www.kubotek3d.com/) It's what is called "direct" CAD. I've been a user since 1997 (When it was still known as Cadkey.) I personally believe it's easier to learn and has features that most 3D packages don't have, such as 2D & 3D wire-frame and surface modelling, along with 3D solid modelling. And they offer a free 1-year, renewable student license. (https://info.kubotek3d.com/keycreator-student-version-free-software?111)

Here's a KeyCreator image of a instrument panel I'm currently working on for an ultralight aircraft.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Mike

[Lemosteam]

While I hate to say this... I would suggest Solidworks, by Dassault (https://www.solidworks.com/). (Even with 18 years if SWX experience, I'm personally not a fan of it.) However, it is the industry standard, and they sell a "student" version for around $100 (https://www.solidworks.com/product/students). Might as well teach them on the software they're most likely to use, should they pursue that field in later years.

A CAD program I am happy to suggest is KeyCreator, by Kubotek. (https://www.kubotek3d.com/) It's what is called "direct" CAD. I've been a user since 1997 (When it was still known as Cadkey.) I personally believe it's easier to learn and has features that most 3D packages don't have, such as 2D & 3D wire-frame and surface modelling, along with 3D solid modelling. And they offer a free 1-year, renewable student license. (https://info.kubotek3d.com/keycreator-student-version-free-software?111)

Here's a KeyCreator image of a instrument panel I'm currently working on for an ultralight aircraft.
(Attachment Link)

Mike

Cool, SWX is Catia’s locus in.

It’s the image an actual assembly of separate parts or solid bodies in a single part?

[GimpLizard]

Cool, SWX is Catia’s locus in.

It’s the image an actual assembly of separate parts or solid bodies in a single part?

The image is of an assembly.

Each part is on its own, separate level. Which is another thing I like about KeyCreator. It allows you this option of doing "level" assemblies, so you can turned each part on/off as needed as you work on it. This keeps everything - including the layout drawings - in one file. I find this easier for making sure everything lines-up and fits as it should.

However, if you choose, KC can also do a "reference" assembly, where each part is in its own file and then referenced in the assembly file. Similar to what Solidworks and most other "professional" CAD programs do. (Solidworks has separate files for parts (.sldprt), assemblies (.sldasm), and drawings (.slddrw)

My issue with reference assemblies is, if you want to send the assembly file to someone else - like a customer - you have to be sure to send each of the part files along with it. The reason for this is because the assembly file references the part file paths. So if the customer doesn't receive the part files that reference is broken, and the assembly appears blank. The advantage of reference assemblies is that you only need to create each part once, and then reference it as often as needed in the assembly. Where with level assemblies you need to copy each part if you use more than one of each in the assembly. So there are advantages & disadvantages to each. At least KeyCreator allows you to pick your poison.