Educator Rob Morrill holds a Master’s degree in English—along with an undeniable knack for technology. After teaching high school English for 19 years, he transitioned to his current role at the St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day Maker Lab.
Today, Rob is focused on guiding young minds through the 3D printing and digital design process to teach the importance of additive manufacturing.
Encouraging Innovative Thinking
After using an Ultimaker for various personal projects, Rob Morrill saw the value 3D printing could bring to the educational space. He began introducing the 3D printing process to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day in 2015 and saw an immediate interest from students. Additive manufacturing, he says, is the perfect way to teach young learners that they’re not only consumers but also creatives capable of conceiving an idea and bringing it to life in a matter of hours.
Students using 3D design for facilities on Mars colony
“3D printing is a very powerful way to help students adopt a growth mindset.”
They are also ready for challenges. What Rob initially found exciting and amazing was that when he came to learn 3D printing, he was only slightly ahead of his students.
They are eager to learn and adapt to this new technology through Rob's multifaceted teaching style, which encourages them to excel in various 3D printing talents.
A Mars colony designed and 3D printed by fifth-grade students.
Rob explains: "A feature of my teaching is the different fields, technologies, and skill sets. For example, combining 3D printing with coding or a lesson in physics or electronics. When adults create interesting and powerful things, they often use several tools and approaches in conjunction, so I think introducing and reinforcing that approach in students is important and stimulating."
Bringing Ultimaker 3D Printers to Life
When bringing 3D printers into his curriculum, Rob had to consider ease of use, reliability, and quality. The St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day Maker Lab now has two Ultimaker printers available for students and faculty: an Ultimaker 2 and an Ultimaker 2+ with an extruder upgrade. He praises the Ultimaker's machine design, with Rob stating that the LED lighting and enclosed print environment are impressive because they allow students to clearly see their creations come to life.
"3D printing is a marvel, and I love its lights and white walls, which make you marvel at its magic."
A floating ocean colony designed by students and printed with Ultimaker 2.
Thinking Outside the Box for Creative Projects
By finding ways to integrate 3D printing into various courses, Rob challenges his students to think outside the box. Some of his most successful classroom projects include crumple zone bumpers for CO2-powered crash test cars designed and printed by 5th graders and floating ocean colonies that captured his students’ imaginations. He hopes that by training his 5th graders on how to use CAD software and how to 3D print, he’ll inspire older students to welcome the technology across all areas of study.
A crumple zone crash test car designed and 3D printed by Rob Crumple zone bumpers designed and 3D printed by students
Though the printers are most heavily used by the 5th graders at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day, Rob also designs and prints objects for fellow faculty members, such as math manipulatives. The reaction from students and teachers when they experience 3D printing for the first time is unforgettable, bolstering the value of 3D printing in education.
“My students are captivated watching their prints come to life, transforming digital imaginings into real-world artifacts.”
Students using Ultimaker 3D printer Students using 3D printing to celebrate Valentine's Day
What's important is that he hopes students and teachers will take away this power and the necessary changes.
Rob says: "Students can quickly see the value of a printed design and then iterate after testing it in the real world."
This is great because it applies to many areas of life. Whether working on school projects or conceptualizing inventions, the additive manufacturing process provides young students with invaluable skills after graduation.
Using 3D Printing to Solve Real-World Problems
Whenever he encounters a problem or roadblock in the classroom, Rob asks himself, "How can I solve this with 3D printing?" For example, his first-grade students are coding simple robots but are unable to efficiently change their code because he doesn't record its reliability and ease.
To solve this problem, he created interlocking coding blocks that allow them to record and dynamically change their connected work.
A student designed the turtle blocks and 3D printed them using an Ultimaker.
Rob understands that 3D printing will largely involve creative problem-solving in the future, fostering an environment where students have the tools to overcome similar obstacles. The 3D printing process can help teach the value of innovation and the power of necessity; cultivating a very good mindset at such a young age is extremely beneficial.
If they seize the opportunity to learn and do, it will be very helpful.
By providing students with the space to design, iterate, and print objects of their own imagination, the St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day Maker Lab is able to offer meaningful, impactful ways to expand the learning experience.
Original Source: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/50473-st-matthews-episcopal-day-maker-lab-inspiring-through-innovation