---
title: Top 5 Ways to Use a 3D Printer in the Classroom
description: These 6 ideas for 3D printing projects ensure students learn multiple skills from engineering to geography to math through the process of 3D printing.
image: https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/September%202017/Barnett-Bugs-300x200.jpg
---

[![Sparkfun](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/img/logo.png)](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/index.html)

- [SparkFun Webstore](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com)
- [Higher Ed](https://sparkfuneducation.com/higher-ed/index.html)
- [Contact Us](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/contact-us.html)
- [Follow Us](https://twitter.com/SparkFunEDU)

- [Home](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com)
- [Blog](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com)
- [Curriculum](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/curriculum.html)
- [PD/Events](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/professional-dev.html)
- [KITS/Materials](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/materials.html)
- [Educator Stories](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/educator-stories.html)
- [Activities](https://activities.sparkfuneducation.com)

[Blog Home](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/) / [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) / Top 5 Ways to Use a 3D Printer in the Classroom

<https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/rss.xml>

# Top 5 Ways to Use a 3D Printer in the Classroom

BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 9/28/17 6:30 AM

[5](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/6-ways-to-use-a-3d-printer-in-the-classroom#comments-listing)

[teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools), [Maker Education](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education), [student projects](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/student-projects), [getting started](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started), [STEAM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/steam)

![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/Feb%202017/Cool%20Hemmings.jpg)

To celebrate today’s kickoff of the[Maker Education Webinar Series](http://sparkfuneducation.com/webinar/) — "3D Printing to Improve Learning Outcomes" — we’re taking a look at the Top 5 things you can do with a 3D printer in the classroom (plus a bonus).

When using a 3D printer in school, or any [maker education](https://sparkfuneducation.com/what-is-maker-education.html) tools, it’s important to ensure students are actually learning from the process. Which means they need to do more than find a neat design online and print it out. There needs to be some consideration that goes into what is being printed. The ideas below ensure students spend time thinking about the design they are printing and are able to learn multiple skills from engineering to geography to math through the process of 3D printing.

## 1. Create Maps

![3d printed map](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/September%202017/6606221371_d00ae823f6_z.jpg?width=320&name=6606221371_d00ae823f6_z.jpg "3d printed map")Photo Credit: [post-apocalyptic research institute](https://www.flickr.com/photos/postapocalyptic/6606221371)

Challenge students to design and print a map related to something you are studying. This could mean a map of different ecological regions, a map of their neighborhood or even a map of a fictional place based on a literary work being studied.

## 2. Study Historical Technology

Many middle schoolers study catapults as part of a lesson on medieval times. Take it one step further by printing a few versions of classic designs for students to study and then challenging them to create a better version of the classic catapult, from conception to build.

## 3. Design Bridges

![3d printed bridge](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/September%202017/4624054964_80079475ba_z.jpg?width=320&name=4624054964_80079475ba_z.jpg "3d printed bridge")Photo Credit: [Creative Tools](https://www.flickr.com/photos/creative_tools/4624054964/)

The bridge-building challenge is a classic, but why not change it up from toothpicks and marshmallows and have students design and 3D print a bridge that can withstand a certain amount of pressure or weight placed on it. Students put their engineering knowledge to the test to design a structure that is not only functional but looks good too. The same idea can also be used to create boats.

## 4. Build Fraction-Learning Tools

This one is especially great for younger students who are just learning about fractions. Have students design and print a set of manipulatives they can use to remember how fractions work. This allows students to not only see the size difference between one half and one third, but to hold them in their hands and really get a feel for how fractions combine to make a larger number.

## 5. Create a New Species

![3d printed bugs](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/September%202017/Barnett-Bugs-300x200.jpg?width=300&name=Barnett-Bugs-300x200.jpg "3d printed bugs")Photo Credit: [Clark Barnett at Conejo Valley Unified School District](http://afinia.com/clark-barnett-3d-printed-bugs/)

Clark Barnett, an educator and education technology consultant in Thousand Oaks, California, [challenged his students to design and print their own bugs](http://afinia.com/clark-barnett-3d-printed-bugs/) in order to teach them about entomology and ecosystems. This challenge required students to think about the engineering behind creating a bug, including designing legs that could support the body. This same idea could be used to have students create their own animal, real or imaginary, as well as plants.

To show that 3D printers aren’t just for your standard classes, here’s a bonus idea for food classes.

## Bonus: Create Molds for Foods

![3d printed cookie cutter](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/September%202017/5299375565_cd164cc90a_z.jpg?width=320&name=5299375565_cd164cc90a_z.jpg "3d printed cookie cutter")

Photo Credit: [Creative Tools](https://www.flickr.com/photos/creative_tools/5299375565/in/photostream/)

These can range from custom cookie cutters to chocolate molds or cake stands. Designing a custom mold or container for the food they create allows students to add a piece of their personality to the cooking process and provides a chance to bring some extra math and science into food studies. And how about a cake topper just for fun? The sky's the limit!

What projects have you 3D printed with your students? Please share in the comments below.

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

### Subscribe to SparkFun Education Blog

### Topics

- [helpful information (79)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information)
- [Maker Education (60)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education)
- [teaching tools (55)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools)
- [getting started (54)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started)
- [Guest Post (44)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/guest-post)
- [computer science (40)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science)
- [micro:bit (38)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microbit)
- [student projects (37)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/student-projects)
- [STEM (36)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem)
- [programming (34)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming)
- [STEAM (31)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/steam)
- [Events (28)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/events)
- [Arduino (25)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/arduino)
- [robotics (20)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/robotics)
- [e-textiles (18)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/e-textiles)
- [Professional Development (17)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/professional-development)
- [basic circuits (17)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/basic-circuits)
- [What is a (16)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/what-is-a)
- [announcement (16)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/announcement)
- [makerspace (15)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/makerspace)
- [Community Partnership Program (14)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/community-partnership-program)
- [Training (13)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/training)
- [raspberry pi (13)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/raspberry-pi)
- [python (11)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/python)
- [AVC (10)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/avc)
- [paper circuits (10)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/paper-circuits)
- [Makey Makey (8)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/makey-makey)
- [SIK (8)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/sik)
- [Adventures in Science (7)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/adventures-in-science)
- [microcontroller (7)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microcontroller)
- [Internet of Things (5)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/internet-of-things)
- [Processing (4)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/processing)
- [Javascript (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/javascript)
- [LilyPad (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/lilypad)
- [funding (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/funding)
- [weather (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/weather)
- [Insider (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/insider)
- [Johnny-five (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/johnny-five)

All Tags

### Recent Authors

- [Megan Hemmings (79)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings)
- [Maya Kleinbort (22)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/maya-kleinbort)
- [Derek Runberg (21)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/derek-runberg)
- [Shane Diller (16)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shane-diller)
- [Jeff Branson (15)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/jeff-branson)
- [Angela Sheehan (12)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/angela-sheehan)
- [Melissa Felderman (9)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/melissa-felderman)
- [Megan Arnold (8)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-arnold)
- [Brian Huang (6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/brian-huang)
- [Shawn Hymel (6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shawn-hymel)
- [Shelby Landsman (6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shelby-landsman)
- [Jahnell Pereira (5)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/jahnell-pereira)
- [Hailey Blessing (5)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/hailey-blessing)
- [Mike Grusin (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/mike-grusin)
- [Peter Hanson (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/peter-hanson)
- [Andrew Milne (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/andrew-milne)
- [Toni Klopfenstein (2)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/toni-klopfenstein)
- [Joanna Drusin (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/joanna-drusin)
- [Joe Romano (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/joe-romano)
- [Mrinali P. Kesavadas (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/mrinali-p-kesavadas)
- [Christa Flores (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/christa-flores)
- [Michelle Shorter (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/michelle-shorter)
- [Colleen Graves (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/colleen-graves)
- [Janelle Curtis (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/janelle-curtis)
- [Eric Bogatin (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/eric-bogatin)
- [Athena Zhang Baker (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/athena-zhang-baker)
- [Janice Levenhagen (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/janice-levenhagen)
- [Carol Hamilton (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/carol-hamilton)
- [Vanessa Lail (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/vanessa-lail)
- [Bobby Chan (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/bobby-chan)
- [Glenn Samala (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/glenn-samala)
- [Zack Weaver (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/zack-weaver)
- [Dr. Jean-Sébastien Blouin (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/dr-jean-sébastien-blouin)
- [Daphne Sipes (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/daphne-sipes)
- [Axel Reitzig (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/axel-reitzig)
- [Justin Weisz (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/justin-weisz)
- [Kylie Peppler (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/kylie-peppler)
- [Michael Megliola (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/michael-megliola)
- [Casey Kuhns (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/casey-kuhns)
- [Rebecca Grabman (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/rebecca-grabman)
- [Sylvia Martinez (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/sylvia-martinez)
- [Charles Randolph (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/charles-randolph)
- [Ira Sather-Olson (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/ira-sather-olson)
- [Kathy Strickland (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/kathy-strickland)
- [Pete Lewis (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/pete-lewis)
- [Jamie Roth (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/jamie-roth)
- [Mimi Tran Zambetti (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/mimi-tran-zambetti)
- [Ryan Jenkins (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/ryan-jenkins)
- [Kristen Deuschle (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/kristen-deuschle)
- [Erika Myers (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/erika-myers)
- [Sara Gonzalez (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/sara-gonzalez)
- [Celeste Moreno (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/celeste-moreno)
- [Samantha Nagle (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/samantha-nagle)
- [Pearce Melcher (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/pearce-melcher)

All Authors

### Recent Posts

### Submit Your Idea

[![SparkFun Education](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/img/logo.png)](http://www.sparkfuneducation.com/index.html)

#### Other Resources

- [Contact Us](http://www.sparkfuneducation.com/contact-us.html)
- [About SparkFun](http://www.sparkfun.com)
- [FAQs](https://www.sparkfun.com/static/faq)

- [Customer Service](https://www.sparkfun.com/support)
- [Shipping](https://www.sparkfun.com/support)
- [Terms and Conditions](https://www.sparkfun.com/terms)

#### Sign Up for Newsletter

© Copyright 2016. All Rights Reserved.