Pre-printed 3d nametags welcome students and invite curiosity

Time: 15-30 minutes

Summary:

Students are each given a 3d printed nametag with their name on it.

This invites discussion about how such an object was created.

Students experiment with simple tools to wear their nametag.

Preparation: (several hours)

• set up student accounts in Tinkercad
• create a student nametag in each account
  • use free template:
    • https://www.tinkercad.com/things/2h0eANW57Nj-zora-name
    • or search tinkercad.com for “nametag template with raised letters”
  • save a copy with changed student name
• print the nametags
• login student Chromebooks to Tinkercad accounts

Examining the nametags (5 minutes)

Ask:

• what are these?
• how were they made?
• what do you notice about them?
  • observations to guide students towards:
    • uneven surface, more rough than plastic objects usually are
    • have student names, were made specially for each student
    • back may not be filled in – why does the front have more plastic?
    • sides – can you feel with your fingernail that the side feels like it is made of layers, like a stack of paper?

Discussion: 3D printing (5 minutes)

Ask:

• has anyone heard of 3D printing?
• what could 3D printing be?

Explain:

• normal printing works by putting a line of letters on paper, then another line of letters, then another line of letters, until it’s built up a whole page of letters
• 3D printing works by squirting out a thin layer of melted plastic, then another thin layer on top, then another, until it’s built up a whole object

Show:

• search youtube.com for “3d printer in action”
• show students video of printer squirting out layers, moving printer head and platform

Activity: How to wear the nametags? (10-20 minutes)

The nametags don’t have an obvious way to be attached to a shirt or bag.

Ask:

• how can we wear the nametags?
• what do you notice about the nametags that might make them easy to wear?
• could you use magnets to wear them?

Provide materials:

• string
• scissors
• safety pins
• binder clips
• paper clips
• scotch tape
• ceramic magnets
  • these cost about $0.20 each when bought in bulk
  • search Amazon for “ceramic disc magnets”
• glue for attaching magnets
  • school glue works well enough
  • several stronger glues work much better, require adult supervision and should not be handled by young children:
  • hot glue gun: the best all-around choice
  • epoxy: must be done in a place where the fumes won’t linger
  • “Goop”: easier to handle than epoxy, but takes 24 hours to set and must be done in a place where the fumes won’t linger

Allow students to experiment with ways to wear the nametags.

Discussion: What makes a good solution for wearing your nametag? (5 minutes)

Ask:

What makes a good solution for wearing your nametag?

Is it better if a solution is:

• complex?
• simple?
• easy to explain?

Would glue be a good solution? Why or why not?

Can a method for wearing your nametag be a valuable tool to someone else?

Is it an “invention”? A “technology”?