Science hardware for children project: Difference between revisions

This page was part of an MTU course MSE 5621 Open Source Scientific Hardware.Please leave comments using the talk page. The course runs in the Fall semester. It is not open edit.Read more...

Many 3-D printing companies have developed substantial resources to help teachers [9], [10] with large collections of free learning aid designs [11], [12] [13]. 3D printers can be powerful tools for education as:^[1]

• Open-source 3D printing provides a cost efficient means of STEM education.
• These technologies can also empower student-driven engaged learning.

Some benefits of 3D printing educational aids include:

1. provides teachers with 3D visual aids that they can use in their classroom to illustrate challenging concepts
2. 3D printers are cool so easier to get student interest as compared to 2D pictures
3. Can enhance hands-on learning and learning by doing by having students make their own learning aids and all the concomitant skills associated with it (e.g. using OS CAD software)

As we know, distributed 3-D printing can often radically reduce costs and make real scientific equipment available even in schools.^[2] This is particularly important for schools in developing regions.^[3] In this assignment we will leverage basic science and design to help k-12 teachers make any subject easier to teach with learning aids at a low cost.

Assignment[edit | edit source]

1. Identify a science hardware for children / educational aid that you would like to design to be an open source 3D printable technology
2. Make sure someone else has not already done it : Yeggi More than one of you can tackle the same technology in a different way. You may also improve upon existing designs if you do so in a significant way.
3. Design 3D printable components with ONLY OpenSCAD
4. Publish a picture, stl and source code for your design on https://www.myminifactory.com/ and make sure to add it to the correct subject and grade level for https://www.myminifactory.com/category/education
5. In the description on MyMiniFactory explain what your device is trying to teach, include theory, equations, links to Wikipedia etc. - whatever is relevant. Include the approximate cost of your print and then compare it to a commercial offering with their price and a hyperlink if available.
6. Then add picture, link to your project page,cost savings if any, hyperlink to commercial equivalent in gallery below following the examples.
7. Print education aid and drop it off in box in MSE main office of M&M building with your name on/in it - See due dates on syllabus

Grading[edit | edit source]

• 20% Print quality
• 30% Documentation
• 25% Design (design for printing, plastic minimization)
• 25% Function - Does it work? (e.g. could it actually help teach someone something)

Automatic reductions: -50% no source or the use of non-OS software -10% per day for late

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Add your image and link the gallery below in a single line after the last one in the list

• Science Education Projects
• 

  Binary Calculator Educational Aid, No Commercial Variant, Cost ~$5

• 

  Balance for teaching mass, density, and force Cost savings ~ $17 [1]

• 

  System for teaching Pulley, Springs, and Mass relationships Cost savings ~ $14 [2]

• 

  Peg Board & Gears Cost Saving ~ $25 [3]

• 

  Marble roller acceleration demo Cost savings ~ $50 Closest Commercial Equivalent

• 

  DNA puzzle for learning Cost savings ~ $13 Closest Commercial Equivalent

• 

  Catapult System Kit Cost savings up to 70% (Available for $8 with 3D Printing) Commercial Equivalent

• 

  Geometry Learning Building Blocks Cost Savings ~ 20 Cents Closest Commercial Equivalent
  

• 

  Ping-pong Anemometer No commercial alternative, 3D printing material cost ~$10

• 

  Rock Me Archimedes and Seesaw Torque Balance Cost savings ~ $30 [3]

• 

  Ball bearing and Figetspinner market price $15, 3D printing material cost ~$5 closest commertial equivalent

• 

  Catapult (Learn Physics with Fun) Cost savings ~ $30 [4]

• 

  Multipurpose angle ruler 3D printing cost~$8 Commercial Equivalent $19.99

• 

  Paddle and Balloon Powered Boat. 3D printing cost ~ $11. Cost Savings ~$7

• 

  3D Printable Slider-Crank Mechanism Demonstration 3D Printing cost ~ $15. Closest commercial variant ~ $255 Build to order

• 

  3D Printed Rocket Car 3D Printing cost: ~$5 Closest commercial variant ~ $40

• 

  Gyroscope miniature model 3D Printing cost:~$6 commercial equivalent $21.99

• 

  Velocity Profile Toy Printing Cost ~ $1 No Commercial Equivalent

• 

  thumb Clinometer Commercial cost $141.40. 3D printed part estimated cost ~ $6.86

• 

  Levers and Pulleys Science Education Toy My Mini Factory Design Link, School Specialty Shop version - Commercially sold at $82.19, Printing cost + hardware ~$14.00

• 

  [ Ellipse Template Jig (Archimedes Trammel) printing cost ~ $5 Commercial Cost ~ $90

• 

  Shape gaugeTotal weight 88 grams, Market price $30, 3D printed price $13 link to my mini factory

• 

  Inclined plane-Force Balance model. MyMiniFactory[5] Market Product [6]. 3D printed part estimated cost ~ $7.5, weight~47g

• 

  Dial Indicator. MyMiniFactory[7] Market Product [8]. 3D printed part estimated cost ~ $85

References[edit | edit source]

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Authors	Joshua M. Pearce, Shubham Chnchane, Conrad Truettner
License	CC-BY-SA-4.0
Language	English (en)
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Created	September 15, 2020 by Joshua M. Pearce
Modified	June 9, 2023 by StandardWikitext bot
Cite as	Joshua M. Pearce, Shubham Chnchane, Conrad Truettner (2020–2023). "Science hardware for children project". Appropedia. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
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