Elementary education is a great opportunity to introduce students to the basics of STEM technologies like 3D printers, 3D carving machines, laser cutters and a wide variety of science kits.
We’ve pulled together a list of some of the more popular lessons, ideas, projects, and activities for integrating these STEM technologies in the classroom.
Teach Erosion, Deposition, Changing Landscapes and Natural Forces with a Stream Table
The Stream Table from LJ Create is an innovative unit designed to enable classroom demonstrations of subjects such as erosion and deposition. The kit contains all that is needed to perform the practical tasks.
The head unit supplies a simulation of rainfall, while the sand-filled flotation tank is set at an angle to represent the land meeting the sea. Students can use the wooden blocks to mimic buildings and investigate how natural forces affect our homes and buildings.
Cover Engineering, History and Fossilization with a 3D-Printable T-Rex Skull
The T-Rex Skull from MakerBot Academy comes complete with a lesson plan that explores characteristics of the most-studied dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus Rex. This lesson is suitable for grades 4-6.
In about 3-5 class periods, students gain an understanding of what can be learned from fossils as well as the difference between facts and theories. Students will also gain a general understanding of how fossils are formed.
For a full list of elementary appropriate 3D printer projects from MakerBot (grades 1-6), see our full list here.
Demonstrate All Aspects of Movement with Fun Hands-on Learning
LJ Create also offers a Motion Kit that allows learners to experiment with a marble run game to investigate the factors that can change the motion of a marble.
Students will build a marble run using a range of pieces to alter the marble’s direction and gradient. The kit also includes resources to investigate other ways in which we can make things move using forces such as wind.
Teach Gear Concepts with a Laser Cutter and 3D Printer
In this quick hands-on project you can teach students a variety of math and engineering concepts by demonstrating a number of different ways to calculate gear ratios. Students simply 3D print gears on a sliding ruler.
The great thing about this project is that it’s fairly quick to design and produce. You can cut several of the rulers and gears on a laser cutter in a single run, and the 3D printed smarts are small and can be produced quickly on a printer like a MakerBot.
In our full tutorial for this lesson plan, we include all the design files you need (SolidWorks, STL, DXL files) so you can skip the design process if you want and simple let your kids get to work.
Create Gear Camel Toys with Easy-to-Use 3D Carving Machine
For another fun take on gears, this project gives your students a chance to create fun gear camel toys using a 3D carving machine, which is essentially a simplified CNC machine easy enough for any elementary student to operate.
All you need is the Carving Material Starter Kit and 1 class period to teach your students how to make this fun gear camel. Download the design files here so that you can spend this lesson focused on showing students how to use the equipment.
