3D printer for classroom

The Definitive Guide to 3D Printing 
in the Classroom.

MAKERBOT

Bring 3D printing to your school or classroom by using the MakerBot 2021 Grant Guide.

3D PRINTING

Developed with Technology and Engineering Educator Liz Gallo, the definitive guide for successful project planning.

Everything You Need to be Successful with 3D Printing in the Classroom

MAKERBOT

The Definitive Guide to 3D Printing 
in the Classroom.

Download Now

MAKERBOT 2022

Bring 3D printing to your school or classroom by using the MakerBot 2022 Grant Guide.

Download Now

3D PRINTING CURRICULUM PLANNING

We partnered with Technology and Engineering Educator Liz Gallo, the definitive guide for successful project planning.

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The ideal classroom setup

INCLUDING:
2 Teachers Seats + 10 Students Seats

The ideal classroom setup

8 3D Printers For Schools That Will Surely Blow Your Mind

Have you ever wondered why a 3D printer might be good for a school? Do you think schools that teach STEM can use a 3D printer? If you thought no, then think again!

We are going to tell and after we tell you you'll learn about which 3D printers are best for stem schools. Around the world, more schools are looking for ways to get creative with teaching. Students become bored if teachers don't spice up their teaching style.

With technology and access to it on the rise, students become bored much more easily than before. We understand this, so if you're an educator check out our list of best printers for schools that teach STEM. The options on our list are great for keeping students engaged. They also allow educators to work their magic.

Why are 3D printers good for schools?

You can add multiple dimensions of learning with the new technology which has far-reaching benefits. When you add up the positives of a 3D printer it is easy to see why many talented educators, like yourself, are starting to adopt this new technology. 

Still, knowing which printer is best to help your students reach their learning outcomes is challenging. Some manufacturers make lesson planning simple by giving you materials to use with their printers. Others have online platforms that inspire you to use the printer in ways you might not have thought about.

Then, there are the differences in the printers themselves. What will work best for elementary or high school students? Do the printers offer safe functions for young learners? Perhaps for high school, you can forgo the durable options and choose a printer that offers features instead. Taking this into account, we're here to tell you which printers are a go, and which are a no. 

We thought about the costs of setting up a 21st-century classroom because buying many printers at once can cost a lot. We want this to be your definitive guide to preparing your students for their best future. So, we'll also show you how to use your printers to get the most bang for your buck. 

What 3D printers do schools use?

Each school is going to be different because they have unique students. However, it' easy to see that all schools will choose a printer that has obvious features like:

• Educational tools
• Heated platforms
• Print area
• 3D printing technology

But, which printer is best for you? Let's get into our list so you can see why you need a 3D printer for teaching STEM.

What are the best 3D printers for schools?

Our list is meant to take the hard work out of choosing a printer that will undoubtedly raise student engagement. So, without wasting any more time, here they are.

1. Dremel - 3D40-FLX-01

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We all know that tangible objects keep students engaged and wanting to work. It doesn't matter if you're teaching college students or youngsters, hands-on activities keep students focused. This 3D printer is a budget-friendly option that won't use up all of your cash. If your school curriculum has a STEM or STEAM component this printer can help you meet learning goals.

• Customer technical knowledge support
• Hot extruder up to 230 degrees
• 3.5-inch touch screen
• Excellent print quality

The build volume of this printer is 10 x 6.0 x 6.7 inches and, yes! You can print hollow objects. You can now take any animated object and turn it into a real-life object. Your students will love printing 3D objects, and as a teacher, you will glow when you see how much they're learning. If you're teaching older students then making anatomic models is a breeze, too!

The only downside to this printer is that it is made for people who are just beginning to use the technology. if you're an experienced use - stay tuned. We've got something for you on our list.

2. R QIDI Industrial Printer

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If you're struggling to teach engineering concepts and find your students are lost in a daze, this printer can solve that for you. Layer by layer, your students will fixate on the powerful tools that 3D technology gives you. The picture shows that printing internal organs is simple - so it will make lessons plans go more smoothly.

The printer for schools is one of the more expensive machines on our list, but for great reasons.

• Prints with all types of filament (PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU)
• Dual extruders
• User-friendly 3D printer
• Heated print bed (250-300 celsius)

Printing high-quality objects have never been easier, and for teachers, time is too valuable. The price range is a bit high, but the company also gives you 1KG of red filament free when you buy this. Lesson plans become faster and you become more efficient when you use this printer. The negative side of this printer is the initial cost.

However, if you can afford it - it's an excellent option for you and your students.

3. Flashforge Adventurer 3C

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If you need to learn the fundamentals of 3D printing, this might be the printer for you. You can use a variety of filament types and the slide-in build plate makes it very sturdy. This is an excellent choice for teachers who want a simple 3D printing process. It's a printer for beginners, but it will get the job done if you're an experienced user.

• Physical graphic design
• Third-party filaments
• Flexible plate and PEI included
• Detailed review information on amazon

3D printing in schools has benefits and this printer allows you to unleash your potential. Since this is a beginner model, you can find a faster print speed on other models. So, if you're looking for an ultra-fast model this might not be for you. Still, the flexible build plate makes it a perfect option for any teacher who wants to print physical objects to engage students.

Advanced students will love the flexibility of this printer and it makes using the printer focusing for them. Don't wait and grab yours now before they are all gone.

4. QIDI X-one2 Single Extruder 3D Printer

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This printer is adorable and it is perfect for an elementary STEM classroom. The printer would also be ideal for curriculum creating training for a stem setting because you can print dinosaurs! Technology and engineering teachers, you won't want to miss out on this printer. The setup process is simple and makes an excellent setup experience.

The SD card included comes with powerful software, but not just any software. The company gives you 3D modeling software so you can see what you will print before you waste your filament. Watch your students' 3D designs come to life as they build 3D models of buildings, cars, and toys for STEM projects. There's a wide range of possibilities with this printer.

• Heated build plate
• Manual print bed leveling
• 1/2 inch print layer height

The only drawback that might make this printer a no-go is the lack of an LCD screen. However, since it is a budget-friendly 3d printer it's a great choice for schools. Don't worry about expensive printers for the classroom, this one gives you all the bang you need for being a cheap printer.

5. Dremel Digilab 3D20

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If you want to be the cool teacher but you're worried about 3D printing technology - Dremel has a solution. They offer an online community of tech support leaders to help you understand this machine. The cloud-based slicing software offered by Dremmel is top-notch, so what you're getting is going to be good. This printer, unlike others on our list, is great for an advanced user.

The software and tech support mean this is the easiest-to-use 3D printer package for teachers who need some help.

• LCD Display
• Customer Support included
• Printing material is non-toxic, recyclable, and plant-based PLA filament
• Fast speed for high print volume

The ease of setup and use make this an excellent option for teachers who need support. However, one downfall is that the printer does not have automatic bed leveling. You need to manually level the bed using the software provided to you.

6. Official Creality Ender Printer

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Do you work in an area prone to power outages? This printer has a lapse function that can pause your print job and resume it when you get power back. It would be a great option for people who need a printer that can heat up quickly. The kit comes semi-assembled, so it is perfect for teachers who need more time.

• Great for kids
• High precision printing
• Ideal for STEM projects

The printer is quick and has a large bed so you can create most sized projects easily. Current printers have a range of heating up speeds and ease of use technology, but this one wins and makes it a perfect choice for any educator.

The downfall to this printer is that it is not enclosed, but kids would love to see this printer in action. So, is it really a negative aspect? If you want your students engaged, grab one of these because they are selling fast!

7. ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X

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Hey STEM teachers, you can't get better than this printer! It is the perfect classroom 3D printer. The cover keeps small fingers far from danger, and it is easy to set up and use. If you buy this printer your students will love to watch it print the different layers as you make whatever you need.

• High speed
• Resin Printer
• ANYCUBIC Photon workshop software included
• Aluminum platform

This printer is a bit bigger than others on our list, so if you have a small classroom this might not be the ideal printer for you. If you have the space, it's an easy choice because this one is packed with functionality.

8. Artillery Sidewinder

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Hey STEM teachers, you can't get better than this printer! It is the perfect classroom 3D printer. The cover keeps small fingers far from danger, and it is easy to set up and use. If you buy this printer your students will love to watch it print the different layers as you make whatever you need.

• High speed
• Resin Printer
• ANYCUBIC Photon workshop software included
• Aluminum platform

This printer is a bit bigger than others on our list, so if you have a small classroom this might not be the ideal printer for you. If you have the space, it's an easy choice because this one is packed with functionality.

STEM Lessons for your printer

Now that we have seen the best printers for an educational setting, you might be wondering how you can use them. The possibilities are endless with a 3d printer and we are going to show you how to increase engagement with some lesson plans.

The first lesson plan is essential for the current pandemic. You can also teach your students the mechanics of simple machines. For this lesson, you will make a hands-free sanitizer dispenser. A 3D model will help your students to plan and better understand the engineering design process. Here you can see that a 3D printer is a powerful learning tool.

Every school year we struggle to find ways to engage our students. This project has a range of applications for the STEM classroom and to help you create 21st-century learners. You will guide your students to build a quadcopter that they can fly. You can help them understand the engineering design process.

Once you complete the model you can see how far up it can fly. If the first try is not successful use the opportunity to teach your students the importance of never giving up.

This is a great project for those classrooms that have thirsty students and a sink. Using the printer you will design a water diverter. When you block off the flow of water you can create an easy way to get a drink. Teach your students about water flow and how water moves. If their diverter doesn't work well the first time create a shorter diverter.

If the diverter still doesn't work you can talk about low water pressure and see if your students can modify the diverter to make enough pressure to get a drink. The possibilities are endless for this project.

Are you a teacher who dreads math? You won't dread it when you have a 3D printer. You can easily show students how to make a modular frame and teach them many aspects of math. Using a printed modular frame you can teach your students:

• Measurements
• Area
• Surface Area
• Perimeter

Or, you can also teach them how to make a modular city and throw in some social studies learning. We recommend having your students make a board game they can play. That is a sure way to keep them learning while having fun!

Your kids are going to love this project. You need to buy a raspberry pi to make it fully functional, but it will allow you to add an element of computer engineering for a wider range of applications. You will use the printer to make a personal computer. 

Mobile devices consume our life daily. So, this is the perfect project for keeping your students engaged and giving them real-world application.

Should you get a 3D printer?

Of course! If you are still doubting whether or not to get a 3D printer, look back at all the amazing things you can do with one. In case you've forgotten here are the best things you can do with this new technology:

• Raise student engagement
• Increase student productivity
• Become the star teacher
• Teach students valuable life skills

As educators, our main goal is always to keep students engaged and wanting to learn. With 3D printing technology, we don't have to try to keep our students learning. We know that when students have fun, they learn more. When students learn more, they feel successful. Success as a teacher makes us happy.

Having seen everything that a printer can do for STEM education, you should be convinced to buy one. We recommend any printer on this list because we know they work. Teachers have tried them and loved them, and told us their experiences. So, start your school year off by prepping your students to be creative and productive learners.

Buy a 3D printer and unleash all the potential that your students have. You will boost their creativity, teach them about collaboration (a crucial skill), and because of collaborating they will learn how to communicate clearly and effectively.

What are you waiting for? Grab one of these printers before they are all gone. Many of them have excellent deals at the moment, so the moment is right for buying. We hope you enjoyed our list of printers. We know you can see the value in these products as the smart teacher you are. Have a great start to the school year and keep the momentum until June!

Best 3D Printers for Schools and STEM Education 2022

More and more schools around the world are turning to more creative ways to teach students, moving away from boring lesson plans and moving towards learning through play. The world is changing and education must change with it. To prepare kids for a career as an engineer or 3D software designer, schools are looking for the best 3D printers for kids to learn.

As a result, a number of 3D printers have been developed specifically for educational institutions. So we've compiled a list of seven FDM 3D printers that we think are best suited for teaching kids - from elementary to high school and up - how 3D printing works.

Contents

1. What makes a good educational 3D printer?
2. Benefits of 3D Printers in Schools:
3. Best 3D Printers for Schools & Education 2022
4. Toybox 3D Printer - Great for Young Children to Learn 3D Printing
5. Makerbot Sketch Solution - Dedicated 3D Printer for Education
6. MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition
7. Flashforge Creator Pro 2
8. Dremel Digilab 3D40 EDU - Dremel Dedicated 3D Printer for Education
9. Ultimaker S3 - simply the best
10. Monoprice Select Mini V2 - very affordable classroom 3D printer
11. Buyer's Guide - what to look for when choosing a 3D printer for schools
12. Tips for 3D printing in schools and educational institutions
13. How 3D Printing Helps Education
14. Here we've rounded up some of the best ideas for 3D printing in schools that students are sure to get excited about.
15. Q&A

What makes a good educational 3D printer?

Of course, ease of use, especially for younger students. If they can't operate the printer, they won't get inspired or learn anything, so simplicity is the number one priority. 3D printers for elementary grades should be safer and simpler, while more advanced students, such as engineering students, will feel safer and more comfortable with more sophisticated printers.

In addition, reliability. Teachers can't teach while fixing broken printers - any educational 3D printer should be stable.

Finally, ideally a 3D printer for schools should come with lesson plans, class projects, or interactive exercises. 3D printer companies such as Makerbot, Tinkerine and Dremel 3D have focused on developing 3D printers as educational tools, offering complete lesson plans designed with the age group in mind.

Since good educational 3D printers are also suitable for children to play outside of school, we have chosen the following printers for both criteria: the best 3D printers for schools and STEM education.

Benefits of 3D printers in schools:

Makes learning interactive and active: Unlike studying a textbook or watching a lecture, 3D printing involves students interacting with machines and engaging in the printing process.
Encourages understanding of the real world: much of what is taught in schools is theoretical, rather than allowing you to see the results and effects visually. The fact that a real 3D printer creates real parts is better than abstract theories and will help to develop the student's engineering skills and spatial intelligence much better.
More interesting: The technology is cool and if the students are interested, they will learn faster.

Best 3D Printers for Schools & Education 2022

Toybox 3D Printer - Great for Young Kids to Learn 3D Printing

• Price: From $300
• Assembly volume: 70 x 80 x 90 mm
• Material Compatibility: PLA
• Minimum layer height: 200 microns
• Print speed: 60 mm/s

Primarily for children

Affordable price

Biodegradable, non -toxic PLA

Convenient printing with one touch from the box

Access to a free printing catalog 2000+ toys

Small seal area

Limited opportunities for practical use in training

TOYBOX stringing a gold kick by creating a 3D printer designed exclusively for children, encouraging independent creativity and fostering an interest in technology. The Toybox 3D printer can also serve high schoolers or adult learners who want to avoid the usually steep learning curve of 3D printing before moving on to a more serious education-focused printer.

Affordable and affordable, the Toybox 3D Printer is the entry point to the world of 3D printing, with a friendly design aimed at young pioneers. The touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, small footprint, non-toxic, biodegradable PLA compatibility, and support for iOS/Android devices and web browsers all work to give young students the tools to easily explore 3D printing. .

When we tested the Toybox, we were very impressed with its affordability, how easy it was to start printing almost immediately, and how easy it was to switch between filaments.

The Toybox printer also comes with Creator Space, a universal application, library and customization kit. The kid-friendly app contains everything you need to print from a catalog of 2,000 customizable toys. It also provides kids with everything they need to print their own creations or complete a fun school project.

With such an emphasis on simplicity and one-touch printing, the Toybox is very limited in its applications, making it very similar to a 3D printer for classroom use in lower grades. Beyond toys, Toybox lacks the necessary features and versatility for more advanced and practical STEM learning applications.

Makerbot Sketch Solution - Dedicated Education 3D Printer

• Company Based: USA
• Price: $1,799 for the whole set (2 3D printers)
• Print volume: 150 x 150 x 150 mm

With over 7,000 Makerbot printers installed in North American schools, Makerbot is positioning itself as the leading 3D printing brand for education. Their latest educational 3D printing solution, Sketch, builds on this commitment to helping schools teach effectively.

Makerbot offers a comprehensive guide for educators, featuring over 600 free lesson plans hosted by Makerbot, as well as a certification program for students who want to stand out as STEM leaders. They offer the only comprehensive ISTE-certified 10-hour 3D printing training and have an organized cloud-based file management system that seamlessly integrates with TinkerCAD or Fusion 360 3D CAD software into their printers.

For this price, you get a lot more than just two Makerbot Sketch 3D printers. You'll also get 6 spools of classroom-safe PLA filament, 4 build plates, 2 spatulas to remove prints from the plate, 2 replacement nozzles, 2 teacher certification spots, 10 student certification spots, and a Makerbot Cloud with a queue. free prints for a year. Makerbot has focused on building a complete STEM education solution, making it as easy as possible to order everything you need to teach kids about size, shape, design and shaping.

MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition

• Price: Check Amazon here
• Assembly volume: 295 x 195 x 165 mm
• Material Compatibility: MakerBot PLA, MakerBot Tough PLA
• Minimum layer height: 100 microns
• Print speed: 175 mm/s

STEM lesson plan

Easy classroom management

Easy setup and easy printing

Excellent software suite

Expensive

PLA only, which could limit potential use in education

Another strong contender among 3D printers for schools and a favorite among educators, the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition is a solid ecosystem-based printer with features printing and security.

Set it and forget it quality pervades every aspect of the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition. It comes fully assembled with automatic bed leveling, Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring and printing, and an easy-to-navigate LCD display.

The MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition fits seamlessly into the classroom with a great suite of software including MakerBot Cloud, TinkerCAD compatibility, and the intuitive MakerBot Print app for phone, desktop, and browser. Safety is also well ensured with a built-in camera, removable build plate, hands-free printing, and compatibility with MakerBot's own classroom-safe PLA and MakerBot Tough PLA materials.

Educators will also benefit from the included MakerBot Educators Guidebook. It also has a library of classroom-ready projects and 600+ lessons, as well as an ISTE-certified MakerBot software and teacher license. The latter is an invaluable resource for learning how Replicator+ works and for deeper student learning.

Compared to the MakerBot Sketch, another great choice of the best 3D printer for students, the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition has a larger build volume to help educators with more ambitious projects or multi-part printing. The MakerBot Sketch is probably the safer option thanks to its closed chamber design and particulate filter. It also has a few extra features that the Replicator+ doesn't have, such as touch screen controls and a heated plate.

The MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition is costly, and the strict PLA restriction won't work for those who want to expand their learning to other types of content. Machine material compatibility is limited to MakerBot coils, eliminating the possibility of using cheaper third party materials.

Flashforge Creator Pro 2

• Price: Available in
official store
• Assembly volume: 200 x 148 x 150 mm
• Material Compatibility: PLA, Pearl PLA, ABS, ABS Pro, PVA, HIPS
• Minimum layer height: 100 microns
• Print speed: 30-100 mm/s

Independent dual extruder system suitable for more complex multi-material printing

High learning opportunities thanks to material compatibility

Safety features

Won't run out of school STEM budget

Linked to FlashPrint 9 slicer0003

Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is one of the best 3D printers for schools. It is an economical, closed-type printer suitable for a wide range of materials. Teachers will find the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 an adaptable 3D printer for classroom use. This is especially true for those who teach advanced design and technology, as well as their various applications.

While most school 3D printers usually work with plain and predictable PLA, Flashforge Creator Pro 2 offers a lot more. This is mainly due to providing ideal conditions for more heat sensitive materials such as ABS, while printing confidently on PLA, PVA and HIPS.

The independent dual extruder is also a godsend for educators who want to teach more complex 3D printing techniques using two different types of filament in one print: two-color parts, support structures for a particularly complex model with a lot of ridges, or printing multiple student-designed parts at the same time .

Flashforge Creator Pro 2 also scores points for ease of use. It comes fully assembled and ready to print, eliminating the need to spend time tweaking and fine-tuning to get the best results. While Flashforge Creator Pro 2 doesn't come with tutorials and lesson plans like many other classroom-ready 3D printers, its simplicity won't cause any problems for teachers and students.

The only downside to an otherwise great offering is that Flashforge ties the printer to its FlashPrint slicer. It's a competent slicer with a lot of functionality, but for those who want more advanced features and the freedom of an open source toolkit, there are limitations. We recommend Cura, a third-party tool of choice for layout designers of all levels.

Dremel Digilab 3D40 EDU - Dremel Dedicated 3D Printer for Education

• Company Based: USA
• Price: $1,699
• Assembly volume: 255 x 155 x 170 mm

American company Dremel moved from being just a tool manufacturer to 3D printing with the Dremel Digilabs series. The 3D40 EDU is designed to teach kids how to 3D print.

The printer comes with a lesson plan designed in accordance with American educational standards and accepted in all US states. These lessons teach problem solving and teamwork through 3D printing, helping students develop manufacturing skills that will be key to the future. What's more, the course counts towards 4 hours of PD - while you're learning 3D printing!

• Price: See price
• Assembly volume: 255 x 153 x 170 mm
• Material Compatibility: PLA, PETG, Eco-ABS, Nylon
• Layer height: 50 microns
• Print speed: 150 mm/s

Minimal setup and easy-to-use features

Comes with great learning resources

Compatible with more media types than most educational printers

Safe for a dynamic and unpredictable classroom environment

Expensive for a school on a budget

The Dremel 3D45 EDU is another 3D education printer from Dremel's craftsmen. It provides a complete, easy to use and minimal 3D printing setup perfect for students.

Simplicity is the theme of this printer. Dremel has gone to great lengths to make the Dremel 3D45 as easy to use as possible. It features automatic bed leveling, multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi and cloud networks, a sleek touch interface and comes pre-assembled. Together, these features make it much easier to set up and use the printer, so educators and students can get started right away.

The Dremel 3D45 EDU comes with all the safety measures you need: a HEPA carbon air filter, a fully enclosed chamber, a filament holder enclosed in the printer body, and even a handy built-in HD camera for remote monitoring of print progress. The EDU kit also includes additional filament spools, a glue stick and a spare mounting plate.

In addition to top-notch specifications, the Dremel 3D45 EDU comes ready to teach with plenty of lesson plans suitable for grades 3-12 and even a self-study program for teachers.

The program provides educators with all the hardware and software knowledge from design to printing to confidently use and teach the Dremel 3D45 EDU, as well as instructor certification culminating in a Dremel seal.

Wider material compatibility distinguishes the Dremel 3D45 EDU from its 3D40 EDU cousin. Instead of just playing with standard PLA, the Dremel 3D45 EDU gives teachers and students the opportunity to experiment with PETG, Eco-ABS and nylon. Under the hood, the two models share the same high-quality features, with the exception of a straight all-metal extruder that can withstand temperatures up to 280 degrees Celsius and a heated bed that the Dremel 3D45 EDU has.

Ultimaker S3 simply the best

• Location: Holland
• Price: $3,850
• Print volume: 230 x 190 x 200 mm

Any manufacturer in the know knows that the Ultimaker S3 is one of the best FDM 3D printers out there. It features industrial-grade quality, reliability and, most importantly for 3D printing in schools, simplicity. It is also open source, which is an advantage for all curious and advanced engineering students who want to try modifying any part of it.

Although the Ultimaker 3 is more expensive - especially if there are more than 20-30 students in the class - the ease of use and print control (smart auto-leveling features, remote printing by phone) make it a fantastic option for 3D printing in schools. Simply because the printer rarely fails because it is so reliable, the Ultimaker 3 is perfect for teaching kids how to 3D print.

Monoprice Select Mini V2 is a very affordable classroom 3D printer

• Country of manufacture: USA
• Price: $199
• Assembly volume: 120 x 120 x 120 mm

While not billed as an education 3D printer, the Select Mini V2 is a cheap 3D printer and easy enough to use that every student can have their own, for the same price as one or two more expensive printers.

It's simple enough that students can easily use it, and cheap enough that if something goes wrong, it won't be a disaster. What's more, its open layout allows students to see the printing process up close, which is not always possible with more enclosed printers. There are no lesson plans or tutorials included, but the Monoprice Select Mini V2 can definitely be used to teach 3D printing in schools.

Ease of Use

Given that inexperience and keen curiosity go hand in hand in educational settings, we recommend 3D printers that take the extra steps to streamline and simplify the process.

Features such as automatic bed leveling, Wi-Fi connectivity and touch screen controls take the more technical and subtle aspects out of the equation.

These features should make the printer accessible not only to younger students, but also to less experienced teachers who are introducing 3D printing into their classroom for the first time.

Assembly

For the easiest and fastest set up of the print station, we recommend that you select 3D printers shipped assembled. To help, most printers designed for schools and educational institutions come fully assembled as standard.

Materials and types of filaments

We recommend PLA as a starting point. This material is biodegradable, non-toxic and melts at a relatively low temperature compared to other types of filaments. PLA improves the overall safety of learning about 3D printers while offering a fairly wide range of application and printing options.

For more advanced users or for tutorials covering specific topics that require a more versatile filament type, we recommend looking at a printer that can print with ABS and possibly other types such as PVA and HIPS.

Safety

3D printer safety is an important consideration when working in a dynamic, sometimes hectic classroom environment. We recommend paying particular attention to features such as closed chambers, air filtration systems, built-in cameras for hands-free surveillance, and easy-to-remove plates, all of which help keep users safe.

Slicing software

Slicing is an important step in the 3D printing process. We recommend slicing programs that don't overwhelm users with advanced options and have a clean, intuitive user interface.

Manufacturer-designed slicers offer full integration and optimization of settings with specific printers and are therefore a good option. Otherwise, third-party slicing programs like the always-reliable Cura can be a great alternative.

Tips for 3D printing in schools and colleges

Go to class prepared. There are a wealth of resources available, from lesson plans to projects covering a wide range of topics. Use them to steer your learning in the right direction.

Use a simple, beginner-friendly design program. It will relieve you of many of the complex aspects of 3D printing, facilitating quality learning and skill acquisition. TinkerCAD is a great starting point, although other options exist such as 3D Builder, SketchUp Free, and Meshmixer.

Let students experience 3D printing. This does not mean touching hot ends or tearing the printer apart. Instead, involve them in the process, whether it's choosing parts to print, adjusting slicer settings, matching colors, or assembling printed parts. The sense of belonging to the project is priceless.

Preset the extrusion temperature and calibrate the bed. This saves time and captures the fleeting attention of students, and reduces the chance of bad prints, errors and troubleshooting on the go.

How 3D printing helps in education

Here are some examples of how 3D printing can revitalize and transform learning.

Anatomy — Print body parts or even the entire skeleton piece by piece for teaching anatomy. Involve students in the process.

Chemistry and Physics - 3D printed models of molecules and atoms are a powerful way to turn an obscure concept into something students can understand on a physical level.

Design, Engineering, Technology - Have students design and print functional parts for structures such as a bridge or a catapult.

History - print models of historical figures, artifacts, ancient monuments, and why not make a diorama depicting the turning points of history to bring novelty to the lesson.

Geography — Make a puzzle of a specific country, continent, or entire globe to help students learn geography and have fun.

Math - Print out models to help young learners hone their counting skills in a tactile way. Why not print geometric shapes or even Sudoku?
Ideas and projects for 3D printing in schools and education

Here we have selected some of the best ideas for 3D printing in schools that are sure to interest students.

Puzzle Cube - Sharpen your problem-solving skills with the classic cube puzzle.
T-Rex Scale Skeleton - Recreate a perfect copy of the most ferocious dinosaur.
3D Pyramids of Giza - Bring Ancient Egypt to life.
Molecules - Flexible and modular, great for chemistry class.
US States Mystery Help the students memorize the location and name of the 50 states.
Spur Gear - math, engineering and design rolled into one.

Q&A

What is the best 3D printer for primary school?

Used and designed for children, it adds a good amount of fun to the process without losing its educational value. The low price helps too, as does access to an extensive library of toy prints.

What is the best 3D printer for high schools?

For middle school classes, we recommend the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition. Plenty of learning materials, ease of use, and excellent software should play well with older and more inquisitive minds while keeping it light and fun.

What is the best 3D printer for high schools?

In our opinion, the Dremel 3D45 EDU and Flashforge Creator Pro 2 are two great options for secondary schools, if only because of the material compatibility. Compatibility with ABS and other less common filament types allows for more experimentation and variety in educational applications covering broad topics such as history, chemistry, engineering, design, and physics.

7 Incredible 3D Printed Houses - INMYROOM

At the end of April, a big event happened: a Dutch couple rented a 3D printed house. And although in Europe people settled in an unusual house for the first time, 3D printing for housing construction has been used for a long time. Fast and efficient technology that seemed like a fairy tale fantasy 50 years ago is now a reality. We have selected seven 3D printed houses from around the world: each has its own features that surprise and delight.

Bioplastic house, The Netherlands

Dutch architectural firm DUS Architects used bioplastic to build a small house in Amsterdam. The housing area is only 8 m², but this space is enough to equip a sleeping area with a bed that can be removed when not in use. Geometric walls resemble honeycombs in shape - this design allows you to strengthen the building without frames. True, the house is definitely not suitable for shy people: the bathtub, also printed on a 3D printer, is located right on the street.

Photo: dezeen.com

Tecla, Italy

Mario Cucinella Architects and 3D printing specialists WASP decided to turn to vernacular architecture, combining ancient and modern building techniques. They created a 3D printed clay dwelling. The 60 m² house is made up of two connected domed parts, and a glass door and skylights on the roof allow the sun's rays to enter the space throughout the day. For the construction, a multi-level 3D printer was used, which can print housing modules in just 200 hours.

Photo: dezeen.com

Project Milestone, The Netherlands

This is the first 3D printed house in Europe to be inhabited. The boulder-shaped dwelling was designed by Dutch architecture firm Houben & Van Mierlo as part of a research project called Project Milestone. The Eindhoven University of Technology is also participating in the project, and its main goal is to increase knowledge about the production of 3D printed houses.

The house is completely habitable, with an open plan kitchen-dining room, living room, large bedroom and bathroom. The authors of the project want to build five houses printed on a 3D printer - all of them will be for rent.

Photo: dezeen.com

Two-story concrete house, Belgium

Another record-breaking building. The two-story concrete dwelling, located in the Belgian commune of Westerlo, is the first house to be 3D printed in a single monolithic “piece”. With a building measuring 90 m² and 8 m high, Kamp C wanted to demonstrate the enormous potential of 3D printing.

Energy efficient home with solar panels and heat pump, heated ceilings and floors. Stairs, floor-to-ceiling windows and a minimalist interior make the house look no less interesting inside than outside.

Photo: dezeen.com

Gaia, Italy

The 30 m² Gaia house was created by 3D printing specialists WASP. Eco-friendly materials were used for printing - a mixture made from local soil, crushed straw and rice husks obtained from rice production waste. The walls of the structure were printed from the soil, and the cavities were filled with rice waste - they provided insulation. Rice husks were also used for interior decoration: walls and ceilings were covered with natural plaster. WASP is convinced that agricultural waste can become a major resource for construction and 3D printing in the future.