3-D printers are an emerging technology that allows the operator to design an object on their computer and create it in a 3 dimensional physical form using the printer. The creation of a 3-D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is created. The operator can use one of the many templates that can be found online or design their own object to meet the needs of their assignment.

It all starts with making a virtual design of the object you want to create. This virtual design is made in a Computer Aided Design, or CAD file using a 3-D modeling program. There is also the ability to recreate an existing object with the use of a 3-D scanner. A 3-D scanner makes a 3-D digital copy of an object and may be manipulated using the 3-D modeling program. The printer works by laying down layers of hot plastic to form the object from the computer design.

The materials needed for operation of a 3-D printer vary depending on the model being used. Most personal 3-D printers use a plastic filament called ABS for the printing process. It is a particularly strong plastic and comes in a wide range of colors.

Along with the printer itself and the printing material a 3-D scanner is an option that allows for the reproduction of existing objects.

The software required for this to operate is included with the purchase of the printer.

3-D printers range from $300 to $30,000 depending on what you want.

A solid option would run about $500 and can be purchased from a variety of sources.

A 3-D scanner can be purchased for about $800 but fewer of these would be needed.

The plastic filament needed to print runs about $20 for a 1 kg spool. This amount of filament will be able to print about 400 small objects (chess piece size).

The 3-D printer can create almost anything our students can dream up. If it can be scanned or designed in the CAD program it can be produced by the printer. The objects can be printed in a variety of colors based on the filament colors on hand.

The 3-D printers can be used in any number of classes including art, science, and social studies. This is a tool that can be applied to the STEM classroom and meet the needs of STEM curriculum. Students can design things to solve problems presented to them in real world situations. Students can recreate historical figures or structures or create their own art with a few clicks of a mouse and an active imagination.

In the Science classroom I would use the 3-D printer to have students create a structure to help earthquake proof buildings. In my classes we talk about the destructive qualities of earthquakes and how architects have come up with ways to protect against them. I would have the students design some sort of earthquake mitigation system that would fit on a model building. To test their effectiveness I would have the students set up their design on the building model and put it on our earthquake table and give it a shake. I would then have the students make modifications based on what they see and test again.

This technology would be on the transformation side of the SAMR model and in this particular case it fits in the modification category.

Thank you for listening to my presentation. I hope that I have done enough to convince you that 3-D printing technology is a worthwhile investment for our district. I believe that this technology would be a fantastic improvement to the our students' learn and apply their knowledge.