3D Start Point

Your 3D Printing Launch Pad

Transformable Filament Spools Project

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I love this project of transformable filament spools because about a month ago I had a dozen empty filament spools, and I went to throw them in the recycling bin because I didn’t have anything else I could do with them. I was trying to think of a project, something I could make out of them, and I didn’t really have the time. They didn’t have any recycle symbols on them, so I hope they got recycled but I don’t really know. So when we saw this project, I was excited. Listen to the podcast … [Read more...]

Vocademy – Not Your Average Makerspace

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I had a chance to visit Vocademy recently to meet with Gene Sherman, get a tour and a much better understanding of what Vocademy is all about and what makes it different. Vocademy is a makerspace, but not your average makerspace. It is a hybrid of a makerspace and an education institution of shop classes, STEAM labs, and workshops. Listen to the podcast here: Vocademy - Not Your Average Makerspace Today, I want to talk about a really worthy organization that is into 3D printing, among other … [Read more...]

3D Print STEAM Challenges with Todd VanHoogstrate of Rippl3D

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New 3D print technology plays on familiar classic STEAM projects in the classrooms at Rippl3D. Capturing excitement in STEM and STEAM at an early age is critical to educational development and 3D printing is another tool educators can use to drive student engagement. Rippl3D has a database full of 3D print STEAM projects, as well as a long list of 3D print STEAM challenges that come along with taking on this type of endeavor to reach out to students during the short window of opportunity and … [Read more...]

Critical Thinking is Taught Through Art, not Sciences

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Putting 3D printers in schools is taking steps forward to bring the arts back in the curriculum in a new found way by combining technology with creativity to generate new ways for students to learn basic educational components such as math, history, and geography.  Tom and Tracy advocate why the "A" should be added to traditional STEM programs and curriculum to develop critical thinking as it relates to 3D print design. Listen to the podcast here: Critical Thinking is Taught Through Art, not … [Read more...]

Engaging Girls in 3D Print STEAM Education with Suz Somersall of KiraKira

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Suz Somersall of KiraKira has created an online platform for girls to develop their 3D modeling skills by creating free courses and curriculum for 3D print STEAM education. KiraKira provides lessons and projects that ignite and inspire young girls to work on projects in what is widely a male dominated area of learning. As students of today grow and come to understand that over 86% of retail purchases are done by women, it's key to understand what women want to buy and to design with them in … [Read more...]

SoCal MakerCon 2016 Recap

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SoCal MakerCon 2016 is under new management from our friends at Vocademy, and this years experience was far different from previous years. The noticeable differences between the shows of 2015 and 2016 are a tell tale sign of the state of 3D printing and gives away who may be the forerunners of the industry. Many surprising companies and organizations made a showing at this years event with lots of interactive booths in the STEM/STEAM realm for kids in elementary to high school grade levels. … [Read more...]