Join the Square One Education Network, 3D4EDU and Michigan Technological University as we offer this exciting next round of Innovative Additive Manufacturing workshops!
Over the course of four days, two-person teacher teams will each build their own RepRap style 3D printers, capable of printing many of its own components, to take back to school for student use and reproduction. This is cutting edge technology developed and delivered by experts in the field. Pedagogy is “constructivist,” best teaching and learning techniques will be modeled.
Each team should be made up of a combination of STEM, CTE, and/or arts educators, from elementary, middle or high school levels. Participants will also participate in the development and design of curriculum and brainstorm potential STEM integration of this project, and participants will become a part of an open source community of teachers and learners.
DATES: Workshop One - July 12-15 Macomb Intermediate School District, Clinton Twp. MI
Workshop Two - July 18-21 Traverse City ISD, Traverse City, MI
COST: $500 per person.
Each person will leave with a fully functioning, self-built rapid prototype machines for classroom or club use. Space is limited at each site to 16 participants (8 teams). Team members should be from the same district or ISD. Instruction, materials, lunches and morning coffee are included in the workshop all four days. Travel, lodging, and other meals are the responsibility of participants.
SCHECHs may be available – details to follow.
ALL participants MUST participate in a pre-workshop conference call. During this call, laptop system requirements for the workshop will be detailed, software downloads and homework will be assigned. District provided laptops must be “unlocked”. A suggested tool list will be provided (drills, files, wire cutters, hand tools, etc.) during this meeting.
This is a sophisticated machine and there is significant complexity to its build, calibration, and use. Participants SHOULD be self-directed learners, have some working knowledge in the area of electronics, programming, and basic assembly using hand tools, ability to read and follow diagrams and instructions, along with a positive "can do" attitude and the ability to problem-solve and troubleshoot.
Background: The RepRap project is an initiative to develop a 3D printer that can print most of its own components. RepRap (short for self-replicating rapid prototyper) uses a variant of fused deposition modeling, an additive manufacturing technique. As an open design, all of the designs produced by the project are released under a free software license, the GNU General Public License.
Due to the self-replicating ability of the machine, authors envision the possibility to cheaply distribute RepRap units to people and communities, enabling them to create (or download from the Internet) complex products without the need for expensive industrial infrastructure including scientific equipment. They intend for the RepRap to demonstrate evolution in this process as well as for it to increase in number exponentially. Participants will build 3D4EDU's Open Sustainability Technology Lab’s Athena printer, which is RepRap derived from the Rostock printer.
Applicants will be notified by April 22, if accepted registration fees are due no later than June 1, 2015. If necessary, a waiting list will be created. A letter of support from administrator must accompany payment.
Square One is a Michigan-based 501c3 educational grant funding organization. Square One’s mission is to identify, fund and enable STEM projects for K-12 teachers and students, which are experiential, compelling and challenging.
Founded in 1885, Michigan Technological University is a leader in technology, engineering, and scientific degree programs and a leading research university.