S.T.E.M. Class

3D Printing & Design

Grades: After School 3-6, Summer 4-7

 5/5

Print your imagination into the palm of your hand!

Learn all about 3D printing, how it works, and learn the software skills you’ll need to create your own unique designs! Take home several mini-prints and watch your final project print on our 6 classroom 3D printers! Nerds love to repeat this class, so we are always updating the projects! Returning Nerds welcome!

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*This is a Computer Lab Class – We strongly recommend against taking 2 computer lab classes in the same week. It’s too much sitting and screen time! Mix and match with a non computer lab class if your nerd stays all day!

Description

3D Printing is Nerding’s all time most popular class! Nerds love to take this class over and over, so we are now regularly changing projects and to keep things fresh and challenging for returning nerds. Also, we have 6 brand new printers this year that are literally 4x faster! I know! We can barely believe it ourselves!

In this fun hands-on class, nerds will craft 3D models using intuitive CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software tailored for kids. From concept to creation, they’ll master the printing process, witnessing their designs materialize layer by layer before their eyes, and proudly take home their masterpiece.

But it’s not just about crafting cool gadgets – it’s about the journey of discovery. Alongside honing math and spatial reasoning skills essential for navigating the 3D design landscape, nerds will explore the applications of 3D printing. From prosthetics enhancing lives to constructing homes and even venturing to space, discover how this technology is shaping tomorrow’s world.

What idea will you bring to life this summer?

READ: Our Favorite 3D Printers: A Review of Flashforge Adventurer 3 Pro and 4 Light (and now 5M too!)
Are you interested in buying your own 3D Printer for home? Parents and kids ask about the FlashForge printers we use every class! So we wrote up a quick post with our recommendation.

Good fit for...

This is the perfect class for nerds who are interested in 3D printing technology and the amazing impact it has – and will continue to have – in today’s world! We’ll use TinkerCad, an easy-to-use online program, to learn how to design and build our awesome creations.

Successful nerds are imaginative learners who enjoy visual planning and designing on the computer. Nerds will share their clever ideas and projects during the week!

Your nerd will also interact with kids with similar creative interests and will make new friends as they cheer each other on.

Nerds make...

We will be working in a browser-based program called TinkerCAD. We will manage your nerd’s account and set them up on the first day of class. They will have access to this account and can continue to design for all eternity! Their designs are downloadable for future printing.

Nerds will also design and print a personalized keychain and “final print” of their choice, and it can be as big as approximately 4x4x4 inches. They will also take home several small test prints, like Pikachus, dice, small astronauts, etc.

There are also a few non-computer-based builds in this class like a model prosthetic hand!

Nerds learn...

We’ll learn using in-class demonstrations and additional online tutorials to view after class. We’ll talk about the engineering design process and how to think about continuous improvement in our designs. We’ll also talk about what industries are using 3D printing today and the incredible improvements being made in our society, especially in health care!

Over the 5 days of this class nerds will:

Learn about the 3D printing process
Discover how 3D printing is benefitting the world with inexpensive prosthetics
Learn to use the design tools in TinkerCAD

Class Structure

This is a computer lab based class which involves design or coding software that we provide account access for. The class will be based around learning that software to design or code the assigned projects. In addition to instruction on the software, all of these classes include lessons about how to connect what we are learning to the real world. There may be some building of physical projects mixed in, and we will certainly take breaks, but the majority of the class is spent working in the lab.

What to Bring to Class

SUMMER & BREAK CLASSES ONLY: Class is 3hrs each day, so bring a snack for break time. Also, bring your own refillable water bottle. Don’t have one? Add our Nerding water bottle to your order and pick up on first day of class!

Gallery

Your nerd will build and discover like these nerds have.

3D printing is older than you think. 3D printing experiments started in the 1980’s!

3D printing isn't limited to just plastic and metal - engineers are exploring printing with wood, chocolate, and even living cells!

Even astronauts use 3D printing when they're up in space, like using it to make adapted tool and 3D models!

COVID-19 Safety

Read about the measures we are taking to provide safe in-person summer STEM classes.

Reviews

Register

Locations, dates, and times vary by time of year.

Summer

^$225

Registration opens March 8, 2024 @ 10am

School Year

^$165

View our After School page to see if this class is offered. Not all classes are offered after school.

Questions before signing up?

Chat with us!