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Introduction

3D printing is a revolutionary technology that allows you to create physical objects from digital models. For K-12 teachers, 3D printing offers a unique opportunity to make lessons more interactive and engaging, helping students visualize abstract concepts and develop practical skills. This guide will provide a step-by-step guide on how to use 3D printing in the classroom, from choosing a model to the final print

Equipment Needed

​Before you begin, it is important to make sure you have all the necessary equipment and materials:

  •   3D Printer: Choose a printer suitable for educational use, such as the Ender 3 or Prusa i3.

  • 3D Filament: The most common material is PLA, which is easy to use and eco-friendly.

  • 3D Modeling Software: Programs such as KeyCreator, Tinkercad (free and easy to use) or Fusion 360 (more advanced). Check the program you will have access to.

  • Computer: For creating and editing 3D models.

  • Heated Print Bed (optional): Helps maintain the adhesion of the model during printing.

Step-by-Step Guide to 3D Printing

  •  Choose the 3D model in our 3D Museum and download the files for the printer (we provide the gcode, STL and blend files. They can be downloaded separately or together in a ZIP file). If you downloaded the ZIP file, follow the steps below:

    • Go to the "Downloads" folder on your computer, using Windows Explorer.

    • Right-click on the downloaded ZIP file.

    • Select the "Extract all..." option.​

    • Choose the location where you want to unzip the files and click "Extract".

    • After extraction, you will see a folder with the same name as the ZIP file, containing the unzipped files.

    • With the files already unzipped, you can start the printing process.

  • Open the 3D modeling program (in this example we are using KeyCreator)

  • Look for “File” in the top left corner of the program’s home screen.

  • Go to “Open File (Ctrl+O)” to search for the desired file.

  • Browse to the desired file and select it.

  • When opening the document, if necessary, make changes to size, rotation, and support using the tools on the left side of the screen.

  • After you finish making changes, prepare for printing by clicking “Slice” in the lower right corner.

  • Send the file to the pen drive (“Export to Local”).

  • Check the print time and rename if necessary.

  • Insert the pen drive into the printer, browse for the file, select it and print.

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