Libraries: 3D Printing: SCAMEL OUTREACH

About the Project:

The Methodology Lab within the TTUHSC Libraries of the Health Sciences is a space for faculty, staff, and students to harness the potential of 3D printing technology. Our goal for the Assembl3D program is to share the wealth of our experiences and disseminate the benefits of 3D printing by supporting the development of makerspaces within a local K-12 library programs.

Why?

As a manufacturing technology that can make any object in any material, 3D printing is destined to change the way we live, teach, and consume, however, 3D printing whittles down to a point-of-entry problem. The broad range of potential applications makes it difficult to identify a place to begin, moreover, 3D Printing requires a certain kind of skillset to translate ideas into actual objects. Nonetheless, 3D printing is an excellent tool to develop mind to hand learning. To facilitate mind-to-hand learning through 3D printing, educators need access to the appropriate 3D printing processes and materials, as well as a certain level of expertise to allow for the expression of an idea into three-dimensional format. In other words, knowing how to operate and repair 3D printing equipment, along with the 3d modeling skills support the translation of relevant ideas into physical objects and are foundational to sustaining any emerging technology program. As such, it is essential that educators have training in the operation and maintenance of 3D printing equipment, as well as the acquisition of applicable design skills. The SCAMeL Assembl3D outreach program is designed to provide educators with the technology and skills to support the development of viable printing programs within K-12 educational settings.

How It Works:

Through a twelve-week mentoring session, a Lubbock-area library can learn from our experience. The awarded library will be guided in the assembly and operation of a 3D printer while learning 3D printing fundamentals through a humanities-based curriculum designed to provide 3D modeling skills with medical imaging and geometric primitives. At the end of the mentorship, with the demonstration of mastery, the 3D printer will be donated to the library to start a 3D program within their school.

Learning Objectives

Objective I: Learners will demonstrate basic mastery of the 3D printing process like operating 3D printing equipment and preparing and post-processing printed models.
Objective II: Learners will demonstrate competency in slicing and various types of 3D modeling software.
Objective III: Learners will demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of 3D printing, current uses of 3D printing and healthcare, as well as critical thinking in evaluating and developing new applications for 3D printing into a larger system of practice like educational settings

What you will learn:

3D printing fundamentals like safety practices, layer thickness, melting temperatures, printing speed, loading/unloading filament, filament types, nozzle removal, managing warping, post-processing practices, and mediating potential pitfalls with 3D equipment.
How to perform basic maintenance like fixing filament jams, repairing basic wiring, and changing and tightening drive belts, as well as, awareness of hardware replacement parts and pending upgrades.
History of 3D printing and current practices along with the mechanics of digital imaging and 3D printing.
How to generate a three-dimensional model with medical imaging and geometric primitives
How to import and export 3D models in slicing software and how to start, pause, and cancel prints.

ASSEMBL3D APPLICATION GUIDELINES

SCAMeL Assemb3D Application Applications will be accepted from K-12 libraries in the Lubbock area. Applications must be submitted by email on or before March 15, 2023. The awarded program will be notified by March 24, 2023. The award includes one Creality Ender 5 Pro 3D Printer kit and two spools of filament. The awarded library will be expected to purchase and supply its own toolset and wire brushes prior to the start of the training sessions. In addition, the awarded library will need to provide an approval letter from their school district administrator with permission to accept the 3D Printer and filament, as well as approval for the offsite training. The awarded library staff member is expected to attend all training sessions as outlined in the syllabus, as well as demonstrate sufficient mastery based on project objectives, and present a 3D printing lesson plan geared for a K-12 environment.

Applications Due: March 15, 2023

EMAIL: 3d.library.printing@ttuhsc.edu

Requirements

Applicants must be employed within a K-12 educational setting supporting a school’s library program located in the Lubbock area. While some experience in 3D printing is not required, a background in fine arts or STEM is encouraged.

Application Guidelines

Applications will be accepted from K-12 libraries in the Lubbock area. Applications must be submitted by email on or before March 15, 2023. The awarded program will be notified by March 24, 2023. The award includes one Creality Ender 5 Pro 3D Printer kit and two spools of filament. The awarded library will be expected to purchase and supply its own toolset and wire brushes prior to the start of the training sessions. In addition, the awarded library will need to provide an approval letter from their school district administrator with permission to accept the 3D Printer and filament, as well as approval for the offsite training. The awarded library staff member is expected to attend all training sessions as outlined in the syllabus, as well as demonstrate sufficient mastery based on project objectives, and present a 3D printing lesson plan geared for a K-12 environment.