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Best 3d printer for the classroom
5 Best 3D Printers for Education in 2022 – Eduporium Blog
There's a wide range when it comes to the benefits of 3D printing in education, including teaching kids about design thinking, empowering them to think like innovators, and, of course, exposing them to relevant technology. Like with any new educational endeavor, however, successfully integrating 3D printing in the classroom takes some planning, patience, and persistance. Also, when the Maker Movement first started moving into education, there was some understandable skepticism around 3D printing. Just 10 or 15 years ago, for example, high costs and complexity meant the best 3D printers quickly became irrelevant.
Now, as we continue to preach the importance of STEM education, MakerEd technology has, of course, evolved exponentially. In fact, having a station simply for 3D printing is not uncommon in today's schools. A combination of newer technology, a better understanding of how students view 3D printing experiences, educator-friendly support materials, and easily accessible project guides, the best 3D printers are also now among the most affordable and impactful in education. If you're a STEAM teacher or looking to enhance a school makerspace curriculum, these are five of our favorite options.
LulzBot Mini V2
One longstanding, reputable educational 3D printer is the LulzBot Mini V2. This desktop 3D printer is one of the best 3D printers that students can use -- due, in large part, to its versatility, high performance levels, and scalability. As its name implies, the LulzBot Mini 3D printer is compact and portable, so students can print in different locations. It also boasts "whisper quiet" operation and the option for students to try multi-material printing.
Plus, students can take advantage of a 20 percent larger build volume than they'd get with the original LulzBot Mini and each Mini V2 arrives calibrated and ready to go. The LulzBot Mini software is also easy to use and it comes with many helpful documents.
MakerBot SKETCH Classroom
The MakerBot SKETCH Classroom is another classroom-friendly option for adding 3D printing to STEM classes. For what teachers get, it comes in a truly affordable two-printer bundle with all of the 3D printing materials, including six spools of filament, four build plates, two spatulas, and even two snips as well. It also includes access to the web-based MakerBot CloudPrint platform. Using CloudPrint, students can create 3D designs from anywhere and send them to their preferred printer. With this multi-printer solution, it's easier and more cost-effective to make 3D printing experiences a regular part of hands-on learning.
MakerBot METHOD 3D Printers
Comprised of four unique 3D printers, the MakerBot METHOD series provide incredibly high performance, precision, and beauty in the details. Both the MakerBot METHOD and METHOD X 3D printers are fantastic for high school makerspaces. There's also the MakerBot Carbon Fiber option for each of those printers. With the Carbon Fiber printer, students can print carbon fiber-reinforced nylon and engineering-grade parts from the classroom, library, or makerspace. These next-generation desktop printers provide best-in-class features and help optimize digital design and fabrication. They also feature CAD integration, build speeds of up to two times faster than other printers, compatibility with a range of file types, and more.
LulzBot TAZ Pro
In addition to the LulzBot Mini, the LulzBot TAZ Pro 3D printer is another powerhouse in maker education lessons.
It's technically an industrial desktop 3D printer and enables students to create larger designs than some of the other best 3D printers. It also supports multi-material 3D printing and the option to print softer and more flexible materials as well. The TAZ Pro also includes a tool kit (like the Mini V2) with replacement wiper pads, a part removal tool, scrub pads, tweezers, and more. It's even compatible with Linux, Mac OS, and Windows 10 computers, so the 3D printer software easily accessible for students.
FlashForge Adventurer 4 3D Printer
Following in the footsteps of the FlashForge Adventurer 3 and Adventurer 3 V2, the Adventurer 4 provides similar value in education. It's not as popular in the education world as the MakerBot, LulzBot, or even the 3Doodler models but it's incredibly capable if you have students with more advanced skills. Plus, its quick release nozzle, auto levelling, and removable build platform also each help enhance its value.
Students can even manage one or more Adventurer 4 3D printers remotely for even more access. The Adventurer 4 also pairs with FlashForge's FlashPrint software and works with PLA, ABS, PETG, PLA-CF, PETG-CF, and ASA filaments. Plus, it comes with a bunch of accessories and an air filtration system to ensure safety.
If you've seen students benefit from in-class 3D printing experiences -- whether they mostly access it in a school makerspace, as part of their CTE classes, or even in afterschool STEM programs, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Also, if you're interested in adding 3D printers to your makerspace or introducing students to 3D printing and CAD software, feel free to let us know. We can help you find the right tools and offer the best prices possible. Check out the rest of our classroom 3D printers on our store, too. And, as always, follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more.
Best 3D Printers For Schools & STEM Education 2022
Increasingly, schools around the world are turning to more creative ways of teaching students, away from boring lesson plans and towards learning through play. The world is changing, and education must change with it. To prepare children for a career in engineering or 3D software design, schools are looking for the best 3D printers for kids for education.
As a result, a number of 3D printers have been designed specifically with the classroom in mind. Therefore, we created our list of seven FDM 3D printers we feel are best suited for teaching children — from elementary to high school and older — how 3D printing works.
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Table Of Contents
- What makes a good educational 3D printer?
- Advantages of 3D printers in schools:
- The Best 3D Printers For Schools & Education 2022
- Toybox 3D Printer — great for younger kids to learn 3D printing
- Makerbot Sketch Solution — Specialized 3D Printer For Education
- MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition
- Flashforge Creator Pro 2
- Dremel Digilab 3D40 EDU — Dremel’s Specialized 3D Printer For Education
- Dremel 3D45 EDU
- Ultimaker S3 — Simply the best
- Monoprice Select Mini V2 — Very Affordable 3D Printer For Classrooms
- Buyer’s Guide – What To Consider For 3D Printers in Schools
- Ease of Use
- Assembly
- Material and Filament Types
- Safety
- Slicer Software
- Tips For 3D Printing in Schools and Education
- How 3D Printing Helps In Education
- Ideas and Projects For 3D Printing in Schools and Education
- Helpful Links for Educators and Schools:
- Learning and Education
- 3D Printer User Guides
- 3D Printing Guides and Basics
- Paying for a 3D Printer For Schools and Education
- Education & School 3D Printing FAQs
What makes a good educational 3D printer?
Ease of use, by far, especially with younger students.
If they can’t operate the printer, they won’t be inspired or learn anything, so simplicity is the number one priority. 3D printers for younger classes must be safer and simpler, whereas more astute students, such as engineering students, will be safer and more comfortable around more complex printers.
Moreover, reliability. Teachers can’t teach while fixing broken printers — any educational 3D printer must work consistently.
Lastly, 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 printers have focused on developing 3D printers as educational tools, offering come with these full lesson plans, tailored by age group.
Since good education 3D printers are also suited for children to play with out of school, we picked the following printers for both criteria: the best 3D printers for schools and STEM education.An Ultimaker 3D printer being used in schools.
Advantages of 3D printers in schools:
- Makes learning interactive and active: unlike studying a textbook or watching a lecture, with 3D printing students interact with the machines and get involved with printing.
- Encourages real world understanding: much of what is taught in schools is theoretical, rather than seeing the results and effects in front of you. Having a real 3D printer create real parts is better than abstract theories, and will help develop a student’s engineering skills and spatial intelligence far better.
- More interesting: the tech is cool, and if students are interested, they’ll learn faster.
The Best 3D Printers For Schools & Education 2022
Toybox 3D Printer — great for younger kids to learn 3D printing
- Price: Starting at $300 — Available at Toybox store here
- Build Volume: 70 x 80 x 90 mm
- Material Compatibility: PLA
- Minimum layer height: 200 microns
- Print Speed: 60 mm/s
Pros:
- Designed first and foremost for children
- Affordable price tag
- Biodegradable, non-toxic PLA
- Out-of-the-box, one-touch user-friendly printing
- Access to free 2000+ toy print catalog
Cons:
- Small print area
- Limited scope for practical learning applications
Toybox strikes gold with a 3D printer designed exclusively for children, promoting self-guided creativity and nurturing interest in technology.
The Toybox 3D printer can also serve older students or adult learners eager to avoid the usually steep 3D printing learning curve before transitioning to a meatier education-focused printer.
A gentle, inexpensive entry point into the world of 3D printing, the Toybox’s accessible, user-friendly design is tailored through and through to young first-timers. Touch screen functionality, Wi-Fi connectivity, a small footprint, compatibility with non-toxic, biodegradable ‘3D printer food’ PLA, and support for iOS/Android devices and web browsers all work to empower young learners with the tools to experience 3D printing simply.
When we tested the Toybox, we were super impressed with the accessibility, the ease in starting to print almost immediately, and how easy it was to switch between filaments.
Read more: our Toybox 3D printer review
The Toybox printer also comes sided by the Creator Space, an all-in-one app, library, and customization suite. Child-friendly, the app houses everything needed to print from a 2000-strong catalog of customizable toys.
It also gives children everything to print their own creations or complete a compelling school project.
With such a focus on simplicity and one-touch printing, the Toybox is very limited in its applications, marking it very much a 3D printer for classroom use at lower-grade levels. Beyond toys, the Toybox lacks the necessary features and versatility for more advanced and practical STEM learning applications.
Makerbot Sketch Solution — Specialized 3D Printer For Education
- Company based: USA
- Price: $1,799 for the whole package (2 3D printers) — Available on your local Amazon store here
- Print volume: 150 x 150 x 150 mm
There are over 7,000 Makerbot printers installed in schools across North America, with Makerbot positioning themselves as the go-to educational 3D printing brand. Their latest education 3D printing solution, the Sketch, builds on this focus on helping schools teach effectively.
Makerbot offer a detailed Educators Guidebook for how to over 600 free lesson plans Makerbot host, as well as a certification program for students who want to stand out as a STEM leader.
They offer the only comprehensive ISTE-certified 10-hour 3D printing training, and have an organized cloud-based file management system that integrates easily with TinkerCAD or Fusion 360 3D CAD software to their printers.
For the price, you get far more than just two Makerbot Sketch 3D printers. You also get 6 classroom-safe 3D printer filament PLA spools, 4 build plates, 2 spatulas for separating prints from the build plate, 2 replacement nozzles, 2 teacher certification seats, 10 student certification seats, and Makerbot Cloud with print queuing free for a year. Makerbot have focused on creating a full solution for STEM education, making it as simple as possible to order everything you need to teach kids about size, shape, and principles of engineering and form.
MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition
- Price: Check on Amazon here
- Build Volume: 295 x 195 x 165 mm
- Material Compatibility: MakerBot PLA, MakerBot Tough PLA
- Minimum layer height: 100 microns
- Print Speed: 175 mm/s
Pros:
- STEM lesson plan
- Easy classroom management
- Simple setup and easy printing
- Excellent software suite
Cons:
- Pricey
- PLA-only, which can limit potential learning applications
Another strong contender for 3D printers for schools and a favorite among educators, the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition is a robust ecosystem printer housing top-end printing and safety features.
A set-and-forget quality courses through every aspect of the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition. It arrives fully assembled, sided by automatic bed leveling, Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring and printing, and an easily navigable LCD.
The MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition blends seamlessly into the classroom environment due to an excellent software suite, including MakerBot Cloud, TinkerCAD compatibility, and the intuitive MakerBot Print phone, desktop, and browser app. Safety is also well covered with an onboard camera, removable build plate, hands-off printing, and compatibility with MakerBot’s proprietary classroom-safe MakerBot PLA and MakerBot Tough PLA.
Educators will also find the included MakerBot Educators Guidebook. There’s also a library of classroom-ready projects and 600+ lessons, and MakerBot’s ISTE-certified program and educators license. The latter is a priceless resource for getting to grips with how the Replicator+ works and to foster deeper learning among students.
Compared to the MakerBot Sketch, another excellent pick for the best 3D printer for students, the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition has a larger build volume, serving educators looking for more ambitious projects or multiple-part printing. The MakerBot Sketch is arguably a safer option due to the enclosed chamber design and particulate filter. It also has a few choice features the Replicator+ lacks, such as touch screen control and a heated build plate.
The MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition levies a considerable cost, and the strict limitation to PLA won’t suit those looking to extend their teaching to other material types. The machine’s filament compatibility stops at MakerBot’s spools, which eliminates potentially cheaper third-party filament.
Flashforge Creator Pro 2
- Price: Available at Flashforge Official store here / Check price on Amazon here
- Build 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
Pros:
- Independent dual extruder system suited to more complex, multi-material printing
- Broad learning applications thanks to material compatibility
- Safety features
- Won’t bleed a school’s STEM budget dry
Cons:
- Tied to FlashPrint slicer
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 lines up alongside the best 3D printers for schools.
It offers a cost-effective, enclosed printer fit to handle a broad range of materials. Teachers will find the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 an adaptable classroom 3D printer. Especially those teaching advanced design and technology along with their various applications.
While most school-geared 3D printers tend to stick to easy and predictable PLA, the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 offers far more possibilities. This is chiefly down to providing the perfect environment for more heat-sensitive materials such as ABS while still confidently printing with PLA, PVA, and HIPS.
The independent dual extruder is also a boon for educators looking to teach more complex 3D printing techniques that employ two different filament types in the same print: two-color parts, support structures for a particularly complex model with lots of overhangs, or printing multiple student-designed parts at the same time.
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 scores points for ease of use, too. It arrives fully assembled and ready to print, negating the need for time-sapping setup and tinkering to get the best results.
Although the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 lacks learning aids and lesson plans like many other classroom-ready 3D printers, its simplicity won’t pose any issues for educators and students.
The only negative shrouding an otherwise stellar offering is that Flashforge tethers the printer to its FlashPrint slicer. It’s a competent slicer with great functionality, but for those wanting more advanced features and the freedom of an open-source toolkit, the limits are there. We recommend Cura, the go-to third-party pick among makers of all experience levels.
Dremel Digilab 3D40 EDU — Dremel’s Specialized 3D Printer For Education
- Company based: USA
- Price: $1,699 with all filament materials, lesson plans — Available on your local Amazon site here
- Build volume: 255 x 155 x 170 mm
No longer just a tool manufacturer, American manufacturer Dremel have moved into 3D printing with their Dremel Digilabs range, with the 3D40 EDU tailored towards educating kids in 3D printing.
The printer comes with a lesson plan, designed in line with US educational standards and accepted in all US states. These lessons teach problem-solving and teamwork with 3D printing, helping students gain manufacturing skills that will prove key in the future. Moreover, the course counts for 4 hours of PD credit — while you learn about 3D printing!
Dremel 3D45 EDU
- Price: Check price on Amazon here / Available on Matterhackers here / Available on Dynamism here
- Build Volume: 255 x 153 x 170 mm
- Material Compatibility: PLA, PETG, Eco-ABS, Nylon
- Layer height: 50 microns
- Print Speed: 150 mm/s
Pros:
- Minimal setup and easy to use features
- Ships with great learning resources
- Compatible with more material types than most education-focused printers
- Safe for a dynamic and unpredictable class room setting
Cons:
- Expensive for a school on a strained budget
The Dremel 3D45 EDU is another 3D printer made for education from the toolmakers at Dremel.
It provides a complete, easy-to-use, minimal setup 3D printing experience, perfect for learners.
Simplicity is the theme here. Dremel has gone to lengths to make using the Dremel 3D45 as effortless as possible. It boasts automatic bed leveling, a trove of connectivity options including Wi-Fi and cloud networking, a sleek touchscreen interface, and ships fully assembled. Combined these types of features make setting up and using the print far easier, so both teachers and learners can get hands right off the bat.
The Dremel 3D45 EDU covers all the safety bases with a HEPA carbon air filter, a fully enclosed chamber, a filament holder encased within the printer’s shell, and even a handy, in-built HD camera for remote print progress monitoring. The EDU kit also arrives with extra filament spools, glue sticks, and a backup build plate.
Aside from top-shelf specifications, the Dremel 3D45 EDU ships ready to teach with lesson plans aplenty suitable for 3rd to 12th grades and even a self-paced training program for teachers.
The program equips educators with all the hardware and software knowledge, from design to print, to confidently use and teach with the Dremel 3D45 EDU, rounded-off by Dremel-stamped instructor certification.
The broader material compatibility sets the Dremel 3D45 EDU from its 3D40 EDU sibling. Instead of simply playing nice with standard PLA, Dremel 3D45 EDU gives educators and students the possibility to experiment with PETG, Eco-ABS, and Nylon. Under the hood, the two boast the same high-quality features, except for a direct, all-metal extruder capable of temperatures up to 280-degrees centigrade and a heated bed found on the Dremel 3D45 EDU.
Ultimaker S3 — Simply the best
- Company based: Holland
- Price: $3,850 — Available on Dynamism Webstore here / Available on Matterhackers here / 3DPrima Europe here
- Print volume: 230 x 190 x 200 mm
Any knowledgeable maker will know that the Ultimaker S3 is one of the best FDM 3D printers around. It features industrial-level quality, reliability — and most importantly for 3D printing in schools, simplicity. It’s also open source, an advantage to any inquisitive and advanced engineering students who want to try modifying any parts of it.
Though on the pricier side — especially if class sizes exceed 20-30 students — the Ultimaker 3’s ease of use and print monitoring (clever auto leveling features, remote printing via phone) make it a fantastic option for 3D printing in schools. Simply because things rarely go wrong since the printer is so reliable, the Ultimaker 3 is ideal for use in teaching children about 3D printing.
Monoprice Select Mini V2 — Very Affordable 3D Printer For Classrooms
- Company based: USA
- Price: $199 — Available on your local Amazon store here
- Build volume: 120 x 120 x 120 mm
Though not positioned as a 3D printer for education, the Select Mini V2 is a cheap 3D printer and simple enough to use that every student could have their own, for the same price as one or two more expensive printers.
It’s basic enough to be easily usable by students, and cheap enough that if anything goes wrong, it isn’t a disaster. Moreover, it’s open plan design lets students see the printing done up close, which isn’t always the case with more closed off printers. It doesn’t come with any lesson plans or education guides, but the Monoprice Select Mini V2 definitely has applications for teaching 3D printing in schools.
Buyer’s Guide – What To Consider For 3D Printers in Schools
Ease of Use
Given that inexperience and keen curiosity come hand in hand with educational settings, we recommend 3D printers that take extra steps to streamline and simplify the process.
Features such as automatic bed leveling, Wi-Fi connectivity, and touchscreen controls take the more technical and tinkering aspects out of the equation.
With such features, the printer should be accessible not just to younger learners, but also less experienced teachers weaving 3D printing into their lessons for the first time.
Assembly
For the sake of simplicity and setting up a print station as fast as possible, we recommend opting for 3D printers that ship pre-assembled. To help, most printers targeting schools and education arrive fully assembled as a standard feature.
Material and Filament Types
We recommend PLA as a good starting point. The material is biodegradable, non-toxic, and melts at a relatively low temperature compared to other filament types. PLA enhances the overall safety of learning about 3D printers while still offering a relatively sizable array of application and print options.
For more advanced users or for lessons covering specific topics that require a more versatile filament type, we recommend looking into a printer capable of printing with ABS and possibly others such as PVA and HIPS.
Safety
3D printer safety is a critical aspect to consider when working in a dynamic, sometimes hectic, classroom environment. We suggest paying particular heed to features such as enclosed chambers, air filtration systems, onboard cameras for hands-off monitoring, and easily removable build plates – all instrumental in keeping users safe.
Slicer Software
Slicing is an essential step in the 3D printing process. We recommend slicers that won’t overwhelm users with advanced options and sport a clean, intuitive UI.
Manufacturer-developed slicers offer complete integration and setting optimization with specific printers and, as such, are a good option. Otherwise, third-party slicers such as the ever-reliable Cura are excellent alternatives.
Tips For 3D Printing in Schools and Education
Head into class prepared. There is a veritable glut of resources out there, from lesson plans to projects covering a range of topics. Make use of these to help guide learning.
Use a simple, beginner-friendly design software. Doing so removes much of the complex facets of 3D printing, promoting quality learning and skill acquisition. TinkerCAD is a great starting point, although other options like 3D Builder, SketchUp Free, and Meshmixer exist.
Allow students to get hands-on with 3D printing. This doesn’t mean touching hot ends or tearing a printer apart.
Instead, have them involved in the process, whether that’s choosing parts to print, adjusting slicer settings, picking colors, or piecing together printed parts. A sense of ownership over a project is priceless.
Fine-tune extrusion temperature and calibrate the bed beforehand. Doing so saves time and makes sure you don’t lose the fleeting attention of students while also reducing the chance of failed prints, errors, and on-the-fly troubleshooting.
How 3D Printing Helps In Education
Here are a handful of examples highlighting how 3D printing can liven up and transform learning.
Anatomy – Print out body parts, or why not an entire skeleton in parts to teach anatomy. Involve learners in the process.
Chemistry and Physics – 3D printed models of molecules and atoms are a powerful way to transform an oblique concept into something students can get their heads around in a physical sense.
Design, Engineering, Technology – Have students design and print functional parts for a contraption such as a bridge or a catapult.
History – Print models of historical figures, artifacts, ancient monuments, and why not a diorama of pivotal moments in history to inject some novelty into a lesson.
Geography – Craft a puzzle representing a particular country, continent, or the entire globe to help students learn geography and have fun in the process.
Mathematics – Print models to help young students beef up their counting skills in a tactile way. Or, why not print geometric shapes or even sudoku.
Ideas and Projects For 3D Printing in Schools and Education
Here, we’ve handpicked a few top ideas for 3D printing in schools that are sure to pique the interest of students.
- Puzzle Cube – Fine-tune those problem-solving skills with a classic cube puzzle.
- To-Scale T-Rex Skeleton – Resurrect a perfect rendition of the fiercest dinosaur of them all.
- 3D Pyramids of Giza – Bring Ancient Egypt to life.
- Molecules – Flexible and modular, these are excellent assets for chemistry classes.
- US States Puzzle – Help students nail the location and name of the 50 states.
- Helical Gear – Mathematics, engineering, and design combined.
You’ll find countless other projects suitable for schools and education at the following links:
- Thingiverse
- YouMagine
- Pinshape
- Instructables
Here we’ve gathered a list of valuable resources for educators who want to brush up on their 3D knowledge or newcomers looking to fast track their 3D printing journey and confidently impart knowledge to their classroom.
You’ll find user guides from the leading 3D printer manufacturers, links to online educational courses, certification programs, lessons plans, and other nuggets.
Learning and Education
- MakerBot Educators Guide
- MakerBot Educator Program
- Dremel Lesson Plans
- Dremel Professional Development Course
- Thingiverse Education Portal
- Tinkerine Classes
- Ultimaker Education
3D Printer User Guides
- MakerBot Replicator+
- Dremel 3D45
- Flashforge Creator Pro 2
- Ultimaker S3
- Monoprice Select Mini V2
- Robo E3
3D Printing Guides and Basics
- Which Is The Best 3D Slicer?
- The Complete History of 3D Printing: From 1980 to the Present Day
- How Much Does a 3D Printer Cost To Buy & Maintain?
- The Complete Best 3D Printer Filament Guide
Paying for a 3D Printer For Schools and Education
Although 3D printers can be a powerful tool to teach students about all manner of STEM-related topics and fields, the machines themselves don’t come cheap, nor does upkeep, sourcing a steady stream of filament, and having the accessories required for daily use.
With most school budgets anemic at best, finding the funds to fuel a meaningful and valuable part of a student’s education poses considerable hurdles.
Fortunately, there’s help out there, starting with manufacturers. 3D printer companies such as FlashForge, Dremel, and MakerBot offer cut-price deals for educators and schools. You’ll often find these in the shape of reduced-priced filament and lower price tags for the printers themselves. We recommend contacting manufacturers directly to inquire about how they can help lower costs.
Furthermore, it’s worth looking further afield to charities, institutional grants, crowdfunding, and funding from foundations. Below, you’ll find a brief list of sites specialized in seeking out grant and funding opportunities for educators and schools in the US and around the world.
- National Science Foundation
- GetEdFunding
- Donors Choose
- Grant Watch
You may also be interested in:
- The 10 Best Cheap 3D Scanners
- Costing under $1,000, the 15 Best DIY 3D Printer Kits
- The 10 Best Large 3D printers
Education & School 3D Printing FAQs
What Is The Best 3D Printer For Primary Schools?
use and designed for children and throws a good smattering of fun into the mix while still ticking off educational value.
A low price tag helps, too, as does access to a vast library of toy prints.
What Is The Best 3D Printer For Middle Schools?
For middle school STEM classrooms, we recommend the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition. Stacks of educational material, user-friendly use, and outstanding software should pair well with older, more inquisitive minds while still keeping things digestible and enjoyable.
What Is The Best 3D Printer For High Schools?
In our estimation, the Dremel 3D45 EDU and Flashforge Creator Pro 2 stand as two excellent picks for high schools, if only for material compatibility. Compatibility with ABS and other less common filament types allows for more experimentation and versatility in learning applications, touching on subjects as broad as history, chemistry, engineering, design, and physics.
Top 3D printers for schools and universities
Home / Blog / Useful / Top 3D printers for educational institutions
- 10th place - Wanhao Duplicator I3 mini
- 9th place - Creality3D Ender 3 MAX
- 8th place - Anybic Finder Photon Mono
- Scanners
- Post Processing
- Filament Dryer
Already, there is a huge variety of printers designed for both serious projects and children. But due to the wide variety, it is very difficult to choose the right printer. Therefore, in this top, we have collected the best printers for educational institutions, depending on the tasks. Why does the school need a 3D printer?
Although the school is a place for receiving primary and secondary education, in it a person decides which way of life to go on. At the moment, the division of the parallel classes depending on the area of interest of schoolchildren is successfully applied. They include an in-depth study of certain subjects, but in addition to this, you can teach children the basics of an engineer's work: mechanics, drawing and working on machine tools. But as discussed above, 3D printing is penetrating many areas. Therefore, the ability to work with a 3D printer can be a great help when choosing a further development path. In addition, there are many competitions in which students compete in 3D modeling and 3D printing skills.
For victories in some of these competitions, the school is given kits that allow them to equip a full-fledged 3D printing laboratory. For example, the annual “All-Russian Olympiad in 3D Technologies” allows not only to gain experience in developing a real project in a short time, but also to win a trip to children's camps. There is also a competition of engineering projects “3DBUM”, in which schoolchildren go through all stages of development: from sketches to the finished product. In addition, there are many different 3D printers and 3D scanners that can be won in 3DBOOM.
But the result of participation in these competitions depends not only on the skills of the students, but also on the 3D printer. Therefore, it is extremely important to choose the most suitable printer for the tasks of the competition.
Features of choosing a 3D printer
Unfortunately, there are no 3D printers that combine all the positive qualities. But you can choose the most suitable option, which will either cover the necessary tasks, or combine the necessary qualities.
When choosing a printer, you should pay attention to the speed and quality of printing. Ease of use is also important, because the success of training depends on it. And of course, security, the availability of protection mechanisms and their advancement. When choosing a printer, it is also worth considering what material it will print. The most popular choice would be an FDM 3D printer using filament (plastic wire). The only danger would be a heated nozzle. On the other hand, there is SLA technology: Resin curing in ultraviolet rays. In this case, the danger is the resin itself, its fumes and ultraviolet rays. Next, we will look at which printers are suitable for certain tasks, as well as their pros and cons.
Top 10 3D printers for schools and universities
10th place - Wanhao Duplicator I3 mini
Proven to be a great printer for beginner printers, the Wanhao Duplicator I3 mini is perfect for schools and clubs. There are no dangerous elements in it, and even a junior high school student can set it up.
Due to the simple design and low cost, this model can equip a whole circle, where each student will work with a separate printer. It is also worth noting the small size of the Duplicator I3 mini, which allows you to conveniently transport them to participate in competitions and olympiads. But for its small size and simplicity of design, you have to pay with low printing speed and relatively low quality, while, due to the lack of a heated table, the range of filaments available for printing is greatly reduced.
9th place - Creality3D Ender 3 MAX
The previous model of the Ender 3 printer line has already become a classic choice for a 3D printer for the home, and the Ender 3 MAX not only retains the main advantages of its predecessor, but also adds a lot of new things: an improved model cooling system, an all-metal extruder, updated firmware and more. Due to the preserved design, all the improvements created for the Ender 3 are also suitable for the Ender 3 MAX.
However, this printer is shipped as an assembly kit, and the lack of an outer cover may cause problems when transporting the printer.
8th place - FlashForge Finder
Due to the plastic case, it may seem that this printer is not a serious device. But this will be a delusion, because it has high accuracy and printing speed, which will definitely help when participating in competitions with a limited time. Due to the closed design and lightweight body made of high-strength plastic, it can be easily transported without assembly and disassembly for the duration of the move. Unfortunately, the main disadvantage of this model follows from the above pluses: a small print area.
7th place - Anycubic Photon Mono
Unlike previous printers, Anycubic Photon Mono prints using SLA technology. This achieves excellent print accuracy while maintaining an average print speed. It is also worth noting the compactness, which allows you to put it even on the windowsill.
But due to the resin used, Photon mono would not be the best choice for teaching young children: the resin emits dangerous fumes during curing, and after printing, the model must be cleaned of resin residue. Due to the limitations of the printable area and the difficulty in post-processing the model, this printer will be a great addition to any of the FDM printers in this top.
6th place - Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus
This 3D printer can be called a workhorse: reliable, strong and big. By the name, you can easily understand that this printer is an improved version of the Duplicator 6. The main differences include the addition of functionality in the firmware, for example, resuming printing after a power outage and auto-calibrating the table. Despite the formidable appearance, this printer is quite easy to learn, configure and repair. Thanks to the steel sheet body, stability during printing is achieved. But the main disadvantage follows from this: a lot of weight.
Combined with the large external dimensions, transporting this printer may cause some difficulties. Duplicator 6 Plus is suitable as a primary printer for schools and a spare for Universities.
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| Manufacturer | Creality |
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| Manufacturer | Flash Forge |
5th place - Flashforge Dreamer
Starting with this 3D printer, we are entering the territory of professional equipment.
As a result, more opportunities open up both in printing models and in choosing the materials from which the model will be made. For example, this printer has 2 nozzles at once, and this opens up the possibility of printing two-color models and the use of soluble supports, which will undoubtedly improve the quality of printing overhanging elements. Also worth noting is the closed print area, which protects the model from drafts during printing. Thanks to its closed case form factor, FlashForge Dreamer can be moved relatively easily. A distinctive feature is the ability to print via Wi-Fi: if there are several printers with support for printing via Wi-Fi, it will be possible to manage all printers at once through one computer in real time.
4th place - Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
Another representative of SLA 3D printers. Unlike the previously mentioned Anycubic Photon, this printer has even greater accuracy down to 35 microns. This is achieved with a 4K screen.
At the same time, the printing speed can reach 80 mm / h. Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K is already used in many industries: engineering, design, art and even dentistry! Therefore, this printer will be an excellent choice for Higher Education Institutions if there is a need for high quality printing.
3rd place - PICASO 3D Designer Classic
PICASO has long been at the forefront of professional 3D printing, and many of their older printers are still in use in the workshop. Thanks to the official possibility of improving the printer, you can choose the necessary components that will expand the functionality in the necessary direction. For example, there is an improved extruder that allows the nozzle to be heated up to 410°C, a requirement for printing with engineering plastics such as PC and PEEK. Designer Classic is suitable both for schools, due to its ease of use, and for Universities, due to its wide range of features and high quality.
2nd place - PICASO 3D Designer X Pro
The most advanced 3D printer from PICASO 3D combines the positive qualities of all their previous developments, while adding many new features: dual-filament printing, high precision, auto-calibration, printing with high-temperature plastics and much more.
Almost any idea can be realized with Designer X Pro: if something cannot be printed on this printer, it cannot be printed on any other FDM printer. But for all the advantages you need to pay for large sizes and weight. Therefore, this printer is best used as a fully stationary.
1st place - Raise3D E2
It would seem that the previous 3D printer is the peak point of the development of FDM 3D printers. But Raise3D knows how to surprise! E2 has all the available functionality that is rarely found on printers separately, not to mention the combination of several functions: table auto-adjustment with height map display, a camera that can be monitored from the printer screen, and real-time video transfer to a computer , a dual carriage system that allows you to print two models at once and more. At the same time, it retains excellent printing accuracy and relatively high speed. Due to its compactness, it can even be put on a shelf in a closet, but additional space is still needed for full access to all structural elements.
This printer can replace any printer from this top, in some cases even two printers due to the above two-carriage system.
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| Manufacturer | Phrozen |
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Accessories
Despite the self-sufficiency of many 3D printers, solving some problems when working with them can take a lot of time. But at the same time, many of these actions are simple enough to be performed by a separate device.
Next, we will talk about gadgets that make it easier to use a 3D printer, as well as scanners that open up a new range of possibilities for recreating the real world.
Scanners
Some tasks of recreating the real world or repairing parts are extremely difficult to perform using manual model creation: repairing curved parts, creating a human model, reproducing architectural elements, and other non-standard tasks. Similar problems when digitizing real things will help you solve a 3D scanner. Basically, scanners are divided into stationary, scanning small objects, and portable, allowing you to scan objects such as cars, people, and even buildings. Some models can be attributed to both groups at once, but the main purpose of the scanner will prevail. Therefore, it is very important to determine the range of tasks that need to be completed. RangeVision Spectrum can be used as a stationary scanner. This scanner allows you to scan objects from 1 cm to 3 m. Such a variety of sizes of the scanned object allows you to cover most tasks.
RangeVision Spectrum on tripod
If there is a need to scan more objects, then you can use the Calibry portable scanner. Thanks to its convenient design, it can easily scan large objects up to 10m, and the built-in screen allows you to see the preliminary result of the work in real time.
Postprocessing
Despite the compactness and simplicity of working with SLA printers, after the completion of the printing process, it is necessary to clean the model of resin and additional UV illumination in order for the model to gain maximum strength. This time-consuming task can be performed manually, but to reduce time costs it is reasonable to use special devices that do these repetitive actions automatically. A representative of this class of devices is the Anycubic Wash&Cure. With it, you can easily clean the model and light it up. The user only needs to place the model on the turntable and Wash&Cure does the rest.
It is also worth considering that automation of the process reduces the risks associated with working with resin: contact with the skin and inhalation of fumes. Therefore, with frequent work with SLA printers, this gadget will not only reduce time spent, but also increase the level of security.
Filament drying
If there is a large amount of filament for FDM printers, the question of its storage sharply arises. Most people just put it on the shelves in their rooms without worrying about its properties. But some materials are highly hygroscopic - the ability to absorb moisture from the air. And if the wet filament does not break the printer, then at least it will give out a low-quality model as a result of printing. Therefore, it is very important to dry the filament before printing, especially if it has been stored outdoors. Some craftsmen do this in ovens, but for obvious reasons, this option is not suitable for educational institutions.
To accomplish this task, there are devices for feeding and drying the filament. The best choice would be Polymaker PolyBox. The distinctive feature of this filament dryer is that it is possible to dry and feed 2 spools weighing up to 1 kg each or 1 spool weighing up to 3 kg at once. This will allow the use of only one device for printers with two extruders.
Polymaker PolyBox with two plastic spools
Summing up
After viewing this top, you may not fully decide on the choice of a 3D printer. Therefore, further we will separate all printers depending on the conditions for their use. For schools and continuing education clubs, the Wanhao Duplicator I3 mini, FlashForge Finder and Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus are the best choices because of their ease of use, safety and reliability. For universities and colleges, PICASO 3D Designer X Pro, Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K and Raise3D E2 are suitable. They are distinguished by a huge functionality and breadth of 3D printing possibilities.
Also, do not forget about additional devices: a scanner for digitizing objects from the real world, a drying and filament feed chamber for using demanding plastics, and post-processing cameras that make it easier for the final stage of working with a model printed on an SLA printer. As the world of 3D printing is evolving rapidly, you should not lose sight of the newer models of 3D printers, which you can read reviews on our blog.
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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
- What makes a good educational 3D printer?
- Benefits of 3D Printers in Schools:
- Best 3D Printers for Schools and Education 2022
- Toybox 3D Printer - Great for young kids to learn 3D printing
- Makerbot Sketch Solution - Dedicated 3D printer for education
- MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition
- Flashforge Creator Pro 2
- Dremel Digilab 3D40 EDU - Dedicated 3D- Dremel education printer
- Ultimaker S3 - simply the best
- Monoprice Select Mini V2 - very affordable 3D printer for classrooms
- Buyer's guide - what to look for when choosing a 3D printer for schools
- Tips for 3D Printing in Schools and Education
- How 3D Printing Helps Education
- Here, we've rounded up some of the best 3D printing ideas for schools that students are sure to get excited about.
- Q&A
What makes a good educational 3D printer?
Definitely easy to 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 chose 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: Technology is cool and if 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
9000 9000 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 marketed 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.
Buyer's Guide - What to Look for When Choosing a 3D Printer for 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.
Filament materials and types
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 relieves 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 students' fleeting attention, and reduces the chance of bad prints, errors, and on-the-go troubleshooting.
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 & Physics - 3D printed 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 jigsaw 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 will surely interest students.
Puzzle Cube - Sharpen your problem-solving skills with the classic cube puzzle.
T-Rex Scale Skeleton - Recreate the perfect replica of the most ferocious dinosaur.
Giza 3D Pyramids - 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.
