The Charter High School for Architecture and Design (CHAD) is committed to fostering curiosity through innovative curricula. With access to 3D printers, design teacher
Christopher Sweeney aims to provide art, architecture, and design education to underserved students in Philadelphia,
covering 48 different fields.
Learning by Doing
Preparing students for the ever-changing technologies in architecture and design is not an easy task, and CHAD faces this challenge head-on.
Christopher Sweeney, one of the design teachers, is dedicated to accomplishing this by exposing students to emerging design technologies like 3D printing.
He believes not all students learn the same way or the same things. If they continue to learn after leaving his class, then he has succeeded.
To create a dynamic and open learning environment, Chris's curriculum is primarily designed to encourage hands-on and inquiry-based learning through 3D printing.
Teaching young people from 9th to 12th grade is not easy, as some may not have formal education in art or design. Nevertheless, Chris states that in
his 22 years of teaching, he is always happy to learn.
CHAD students using Ultimaker for projects
The young, eager minds of students mean staying at the forefront of the latest technology, which is why Chris enjoys introducing digital fabrication and 3D modeling to his students.
He says, "They think it's really cool." "Especially when it's connected to another maker tool or something else functional in life." Chris believes
it's important for students to develop a strong work ethic and stable problem-solving skills in their areas of interest, whether they are learning
design, art, math, science, or anything else.
Productivity at the Push of a Button
When Chris began incorporating 3D printing into his CHAD curriculum, he faced issues with budget, materials, and workflow.
It was crucial to find a machine that could produce high-quality prints and be affordable for use in his classroom.
When he discovered Ultimaker, Chris was drawn to the printer's craftsmanship, its ease of use, aesthetic appeal, and design possibilities.
He chose the Ultimaker 2 Extended + for the CHAD design course, finding it reduced both time and money by half.
When you press the button, the possibilities are almost endless. Using Ultimaker for 3D printing has transformed the way I work and the process during my extensive projects.
Whether it's design, art, or anything else, it's a completely new way of thinking.
The printers operate 4 to 6 hours daily, continuously printing student works. Not only do they save time and money by operating Ultimakers at CHAD,
but the quality and characteristics of the prints also deeply impress Chris and his class. Furthermore, despite Ultimaker machines having various settings,
students can easily print in just a few steps. This is largely thanks to Chris, who, in his busy classroom, teaches students how to design objects for 3D printing.
An object designed and printed by students
Challenging Students to Broaden Their Horizons
Working on formal design projects, Chris likes to challenge his students to think entrepreneurially and hopes they will broaden their horizons.
One project involved a highly challenging design to create a prosthetic hand for Sara, a middle school student with cerebral palsy.
Centered around Sara's project, this challenge required students to spend six months completing it, going through numerous 3D printing and testing phases. Once completed, they successfully
designed a prosthetic for Sara, enabling her to draw, possibly for the first time in her life. Chris calls this project an "a-ha" moment, as we refer to it in education. Everything was wonderful.
CHAD students often face many issues with design tools and equipment parts. He hopes that by learning 3D printing technology, CHAD design students will significantly enhance these skills
upon graduation.
Planning Problem-Solving Approaches
In the near future, Chris hopes to add an Ultimaker 3 to his classroom and purchase an Ultimaker 2 Go for himself. He is excited to discover new ways to use materials in 3D
printing, and that art, design, engineering, mathematics, and science will become more refined than ever.
3D printed designs from CHAD
Chris believes 3D printing offers a great opportunity for emerging industries to practice problem-solving. He says, "3D printing is key to breaking down many barriers, understanding how to
create, manufacture, and solve problems in their education and lives. The path educators choose today will influence the future capabilities of design-focused students."
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Original article: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/50150-helping-students-thrive-with-3d-printing-at-chad