As educators we are BUSY folks. With this in mind the CMSD Fab Lab has created asynchronous training options for 3D printing and Vinyl Cutting. Each of these training modules takes about 5 hours to complete. Please check with your administrators if you can put in for VPD for these trainings once they are complete and you get a certificate from the CMSD Fab Lab. Each teacher needs to complete the training module on their own time. Once you’ve down all of the steps in each step, contact Sarah from the fab lab to set up a time to go over your work and get some machine training.
3D Printing
3D printing is a wonderful way to get kids excited about learning and technology. Not only will learning how to 3d print something engage students with math and science in a new way, but it will also teach them a new 21st century tool that could be their ticket to a career in the STEM field.
3D modeling and printing can be introduced to students as young as 1st grade! The success of these projects depends on how familiar your students are with working on a computer, how strong their spatial reasoning skills are and how willing they are to struggle with a project and try to improve their work. The projects below are geared towards students in 3rd grade or higher. Many can be differentiated for the subject matter being covered in your class. Reach out to the MFL team to discuss details for your students.
3D printing in your classroom is a great way to improve student interest and engagement with content and school! The CMSD Fab Lab has 3D printers available to borrow to use in your classroom from the Lending Library. Follow the steps below to familiarize yourself with 3D printing before bringing one into your classroom:
Steps to 3D printing in your classroom:
1. Watch this short general intro to 3D printing video form youtube. (3mins)
2. Watch this recorded CMSD Fab Lab 3D Printing Workshop (1hr) Here are the slides from the workshop (if you think youll need more step by step help- check out this tinker@home)
3. Log into Tinkercad, or make a free account. If you are new to Tinkercad- watch this 10 minute video overview of tinkercad .
4. Next complete the Tinkercad Practice– these exercises will help you learn the basics of tinkercad and prepare you for using the program with your students. Please watch the how to videos- highlighted in GREEN.
Youtube Eunny has TONS of how to tinkercad videos, check them out! CUG Labs also has a great youtube channel with a few awesome step by step tutorials
5. Find your Tinkercad Classroom and set up your student groups. Check out these amazing resources on Tinkercad to set up your classrooms, use assignments and more!
6. Once you’ve watched the videos, completed the practice and set up a tinkercad classroom, email Sarah at sarah.wallace@clevelandmetroschools.org to set up a time where you can borrow a 3D printer.
Vinyl Cutting with a Silhouette Cameo
An electric plotter is a computerized xacto knife! You and your students can create designs and then watch them come to life with the Cameo! A Silhouette Cameo is similar to a Cricut machine, if you’ve heard of those. The Cameo is a stronger machine with a better design software that requires students to do more thinking and learning!
You will need Silhouette Studio – a free software program to use this machine. You will need to talk to your CMSD tech, come to the Fab Lab or the IT help desk to get this software installed on your CMSD device.
Using a 2D Plotter in your classroom is a great way to improve student interest and engagement with content and school! The CMSD Fab Lab has Silhouette Cameos available to borrow to use in your classroom from the Lending Library. Follow the steps below to familiarize yourself with the silhouette before bringing one into your classroom:
Steps to using a Cameo in your classroom:
1. Watch this recorded CMSD Fab Lab Silhouette Vinyl Cutting Workshop (1hr) Here are the slides from the workshop
2. Download Silhouette Studio on to your computer. You will need your CMSD Tech to help you do this, or come into the Fab Lab or IT Help Desk.
3. Next, complete the Silhouette Practice Exercises (please pay close attention to the easy how-to videos highlighted in green)
4. Want to know more about what Silhouette Studio can do? Check out this Intro video from youtube (30 minutes)
5. Once you’ve watched the videos and completed the practice, email Sarah at sarah.wallace@clevelandmetroschools.org to set up a time where you can come into the CMSD Fab Lab to borrow a Silhouette Cameo.
6. (optional but awesome) Canva is the best thing in the world- you can get your kids to design amazing things. You should definitely do the Canva training below too!
Graphic Design – Using Canva in your Class
Canva is an amazing web-based, FREE (for educators and students) graphic design program that allows students to design professional quality projects.
Once your students know how to use Canva you can combine their designs with Fabrication! The CMSD Fab Lab has Silhouette Cameos, Lasers, printers, button makers and more available to borrow to use in your classroom from the Lending Library.
Steps to using a Canva in your classroom:
1. Coming Soon
Other Useful links:
Intro to 3D printing google slides for STUDENTS.
MFL Giant Project List (this list has projects for 3D printing as well as laser cutters and vinyl cutters)
How to set up and use your Flash Forge Finder or Inventor
Cleveland Metropolitan School District Fab Lab 