3.1 3D Printing in Everyday Life

3D printing can be used as a creative medium to problem-solve or innovate in everyday situations. 

In the classroom environment, educators and students can use 3D printing to improve the school experience. For example, watch primary school students solve the issue of having identical backpacks in the classroom. Another group of students improved their school garden through a number of 3D printing applications.

The Practical Benefits of 3D Modeling

Even without a 3D printer, 3D modeling can allow students to visualize concepts and ideas, such as an invention or a design of a project. The great thing about 3D modeling, unlike a physical 3D medium like clay, is its digital nature. Given the amount of storage on computers and the online cloud, a student could create and store a limitless number of 3D creations, including different iterations of the same design.

With 3D modeling, it is easy for creators to revisit a previous file and edit or duplicate it to make numerous prototypes or versions of a design. Even better, there is no mess or physical clean-up required for students of any age to create numerous 3D models. Unlike crafting projects, there is also no purchase needed to create, revise, or build upon 3D models. Not only that, but creators can also easily share, distribute, and collaborate on 3D models with people across the world using platforms like Thingiverse.