After receiving a 3D printer from the Education Foundation, Whittier LRC Teacher Kelly Coleman approached Instructional Coach Megan Ryder to collaborate on using the printer in a more authentic way. Coleman explained that her sixth graders had previously dabbled in 3D design while creating keychains on Tinkercad CAD software.
“While they enjoyed the experience and learned the basics of computer-aided drafting, they hadn’t the opportunity to delve into using the design process for critical thinking and problem solving,” Coleman explained.
Coleman and Ryder researched how other schools used 3D printers in meaningful ways, and reached out to colleagues on Twitter.
“We hoped to make the 3D printing experience more of a design challenge that solved a real-world problem,” Coleman said.
The result? One teacher lamented how her students’ glue sticks always seemed to roll off their desks, clattering to the floor.
And so, the Great Glue Stick Challenge was born.
Coleman and Ryder grouped Whittier sixth graders and asked them to design a glue stick cap that could improve upon common product challenges. In addition to rolling off desks, the class discussed how glue stick caps sometimes aren’t tight enough, causing the glue to dry out. The caps can also be difficult for small hands to open and close.
Tony Ciezadlo, a technology teacher at Downers Grove North, mentored the students throughout the design process. With his assistance, the children took precise glue stick cap measurements with dial calipers and created their designs using Tinkercad CAD, the software they previously used in LRC class to design keychains.
“Mr. Ciezadlo was very impressed with how quickly the students learned the design process,” Ryder commented.
The students printed their creations using Whittier’s FlashForge Finder 3D printer. At this point, some students realized that their prototype had a design flaw: perhaps the cap wouldn’t fit their glue stick, or the size was awkward for tiny hands. Rather than quit, the students collaborated to refine their measurements and improve upon their original design.
“It was amazing to see the students work together to problem solve their way through the challenge!” Ryder said.
“Some groups printed up to five versions of their prototypes, learning from their mistakes and revising to get the final product just right,” Coleman added.
Many students went a step further and tested their prototypes with kindergarteners and first graders to determine their ease of use.
“It was truly a Cinderella moment when the students printed a cap that fit the glue stick,” Coleman said. “They were overjoyed. It was incredible to watch their expressions!”
The students culminated the project by presenting their Great Glue Stick Challenge creations to their classmates and the school’s kindergarteners and first graders, as well as a panel of experts and stakeholders, which included their principal, a teacher and an engineer. Each group demonstrated why their product did the best job solving the challenge, and the panel of judges voted on the best design. The prize? During their next LRC class, Coleman will host “The Golden Glubes” to recognize the winning teams. Plus, the winning teams will present their glue stick cap designs to their kindergarten and first grade “testers” as a thank you.
While this project might be complete, Whittier sixth graders have higher aspirations.
“For fun, we tweeted our designs to Elmer’s Glue,” Coleman said. “Perhaps it will give them an idea or two!”