Archives: Resources

David Wieland has put together an easy-to-follow set of tutorials for Fusion 360, hosted on YouTube. Geared to those creating 3D printable models, it allows you and your … learn more

Autodesk’s Tinkercad makes a great classroom tool for 3D modeling. It’s free to use, runs within your web browser (so there’s nothing to install), and is beginner friendly, … learn more

In addition to Thingiverse, there a wide variety of places on the Internet with .stl files ready-to-print.

Don’t want to create your own .stl files? Looking for project ideas or see how other people tackled things? Thingiverse is the go-to place for printed objects. Includes … learn more

The stepper motor(s) that control your Z axis (height) has a magic number. Figuring out that magic number and specifying a layer height that’s a multiple of this … learn more

Sort of a “what not to do” video. Thomas Sanladerer goes thru five things not to do with your 3D printer filament. You want to avoid: Tangling the … learn more

As some have noted, 3D printing is as much an art as a science. “Dialing in” – correctly adjusting your printer values – will make a huge difference. … learn more

While some 3D printers come fully assembled, most 3D printers require some final assembly before you can start printing. Here’s an example of what you’re looking at. If … learn more

Not for the easily intimidated, this project describes the design of a very low budget 3D Printer that is mainly built out of recycled electronic components. The result … learn more

To say there is a wide range of 3d printer filaments for an FDM printers is an understatement. DrVax talks about 3D filament terminology and then looks at … learn more

There are over 8 different 3D printing technologies currently available. This site introduces each of them. All have their distinct advantages. Many have distinct disadvantages, including limited material … learn more

Make Magazine has a regularly updated buyers guide that covers the different types of 3D printers, what is available in each price range, and suggested 3D printers for … learn more

This video shows how a Plymouth teacher was able to provide her students with a 3D printer in the classroom, and how her students are using it … … learn more

There are three different types of 3D printers: FDM = Fused Deposition Modeling DLP = Digital Light Processing SLA = Stereo-lithography Apparatus In this primer, we concentrate mostly … learn more

This article from 3DPrint.com explores the different options for producing a 3D “STL” model from topographic map data and explains why Terrain2STL is so special.

Want to create your own .STL files? In just 22 “simple” steps, you too can print a 3D topo map of anywhere. While it can take a while, … learn more

Creating a 3D print and need a grayscale height representation of anywhere on earth? Check out this resource. The resolution detail varies depending on where on earth you’re … learn more

This video shows you how to make incredibly detailed 3d landscape models from publicly available LIDAR data. While not simple, the workflow uses free or very cheap software.

For many locations, maps have already been digitized and posted to Thingiverse. If you have a particular location in mind, try searching for it.

Terrain2STL allows you to easily create 3D STL models of the surface of Earth. Zoom into the area you want to model and click on the Center To … learn more

Here’s a way of taking great 3D printing time-lapse videos. It’s a bit unorthodox, but it works great and definitely doesn’t involve burning your hands. Look for a … learn more

No only are 3D prints intriguing, but watching the process can be mesmerizing. Here’s an example time lapse video (no sound). Adding a simple time lapse camera can … learn more

Chuck shows you how to use Wire Printing experimental feature in CURA 4.0 to create unique pieces. He shows the settings you’ll need in Cura 4 and how … learn more

This post by Josh Price goes into more detail on the steps needed to turn a drawing into complete articulated 3D objects with Fusion 360. While has a … learn more

Want to do more than just extrude a 3D drawing? Need more control or accuracy? This video by Josh Price shows you the steps needed to trace over … learn more

Lithophanes were first created in the 1820s using porcelain. By varying the depth of the material, you can create a seemingly 3 dimensional black & white image that … learn more

3D printed artwork can take many forms, including 2D wall hangings. Here’s an example of what you can do when you take a line drawing and convert it … learn more

MIT gives us a glimpse into the future of 3D printing technology with an inexpensive printer that can print 10 materials at once, no assembly required. Combining multiple … learn more

We know about 3D printing with plastic, but what about printing magnetic fields? This video by Destin Sandlin looks at how Polymagnet has come up with a way … learn more

The Geneva Drive is an elegant mechanism used to convert rotary motion into intermittent motion. The link includes a YouTube video as well as the STL 3D printer … learn more

Awwww. Meet Peggy. When this little kitty was rescued, they found the lower portion of her rear legs were gone. The author was asked to design a wheelchair … learn more

This is an example of using a 3D printer to create the connectors and other parts needed to assemble an item, in this case a simple solar powered … learn more

Not only is this a fun print that shows how you can print moving mechanisms in place, but it’s practical too. Someone discovered you can spin the Air … learn more

This video shows not only the sphere being printed, but also the steps needed after the print to get everything to work. As you can see, 3D printing … learn more

The PLA Spring Motor Demonstrator was originally designed as a “proof of concept” tool to test whether a 3D printed PLA spring could power a gear train and … learn more

This model is an exemplar of many different 3D prining concepts. When the model is well designed, you can print a multi-part articulated item all-at-once with even an … learn more

This collection of bubble wands can be printed and used for students of all ages. Younger students can have fun while learning about bubbles. Older students with access … learn more

Tom Stanton shows how he used a 3D printer to print wing ribs for his model aircraft. Combined with foam sheets, packing tape and a lightweight wooden spar, … learn more

While most 3D printers today “print” with plastic, there is a lot of experimentation and new products that can print on other media. If you can push it … learn more

When it comes to 3D printing and the materials that can currently be printed in a home or classroom environment, the range available might surprise you. Everything from … learn more

3D printing has been heralded as the future of manufacturing. This post takes a quick look at explaining 3D printing, then takes an in depth look at who … learn more

Here’s the actual site referred to in the “Now What?” article. Built using Weebly.com, a web site hosting service specializing in online shopping, this site allows adults (faculty, … learn more

A teacher at a recent conference turned us on to this idea: Rather constantly changing color filament spools, they print everything in white PLA. They then let the … learn more

This blog post from Makers Empire goes into detail on 7 good reasons for bringing 3D printing into the classroom: Creating inventors Bringing art back Engaging reluctant learners … learn more

This blog post talks about how one teacher manages one 3D printer and “lots” of things to print – 15 new items out of one class. Other posts … learn more

Dr. Martin Leary hosts this short, non-technical explanation of how 3D printing works and what you can do with it. While the printers come in many shapes, sizes, … learn more

No matter where education takes place, Zoom can help engage students, faculty, and staff for learning, collaboration, and administration. See how Zoom supports remote and hybrid learning environments … learn more

Naveed Husain, from Teachers College, Columbia University, outlines 20 best practices for educators thrust into the remote-learning journey. The list includes: Be as present as possible through video … learn more

Many teachers have been caught off guard trying to figure out how to pull off lessons. Darin Nakakihara created this edtech tip to help teachers teach remotely. Darin … learn more

Sarah Martinez has curated resources to support teachers, parents and administrators in the transition to our “new normal” of remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sarah designed … learn more

Danielle Rochford has been teaching online for over 10 years. She put together this 52 minute webinar to address issues like: How do I get started? What should … learn more

The World Health Organization (WHO) has an information portal of their own with the latest information on the COVID-19 coronavirus, updated daily. Of particular interest will be the … learn more

This quick video from ABC News (posted March 10th) explains why officials are banning crowds, closing schools, and encouraging anything to avoid a lot of human contact. It’s … learn more

With everything that’s happening about the Coronavirus, it can be very hard to make a decision of what to do today. Should you wait for more information? Do … learn more

Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer and current “YouTuber and friend of science”, put together this video showing how easy it is to spread germs, including the COVID-19 … learn more

You’ve probably seen xkcd comics before – Randall Munroe has a very different outlook on life. In this installment he looks at the current COVID-19 battle from the … learn more

With schools turning to the Internet to facilitate education activities, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are stepping up to the plate, providing free Internet hotspots and continued service during … learn more

To say things are “up in the air” regarding fall college admissions is an understatement. This article from NPR outlines some of the current issues for H.S. seniors … learn more

At the end of March, 2020, 185 countries had closed their schools, affecting 90 percent of the world’s students. The speed of these closures and the rapid move … learn more

The current stay-at-home environment is challenging for learning on a number of fronts. This article talks about how school districts in Colorado are trying to overcome the disparities … learn more

PROTECTING, MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF ALL MINNESOTANS

This article by Sarah Gonser highlights some issues that we will all face as states start to prepare contingency plans for a highly unpredictable Fall 2020 school year: … learn more

This post from NPR is another look at the current challenges facing schools as they try to reopen. Even in states where school reopening has been OK’ed, few … learn more

This post by Krista Kaput looks at issues specific to Minnesota, but is a reminder that the COVID-19 crisis has caused ripple effects across the education system, raising … learn more

This post by Amy Takabori explains why building a sense of community for your school during a school closure is important and gives 4 tips on how to … learn more

Mike Rowe’s recorded a commencement speech to all those graduating from a trade school, and to those high school graduates about to enter one. In these uncertain times, … learn more

Over the past couple of months, the world has received more evidence that face masks really can play a crucial role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. … learn more

Parents, teachers and students across the country are gearing up for the new school year. But, as of mid-July, what schools and the school day would look like … learn more

Want to help advance the understanding of COVID-19? An easy way to help is downloading the COVID Symptom Study app onto your smartphone. It takes a few minutes … learn more

Given the wide variety of face coverings that people are wearing, how do we know which are effective? After explaining why masks are important, this post outlines two … learn more

Randall Munroe at xkcd uses the Star Wars’ Death Star to explain how mRNA vaccines work, like the ones currently available for COVID-19. While you may feel a … learn more

Harvard created the ATLAS Communities project which stretches further and links teachers at the elementary, middle and high school level. Discussion groups and case studies illustrated the process.

The STEM Careers Coalition, co-sponsored by Discovery Education, provides free resources for 6th-12th grade classrooms to develop key STEM and critical thinking skills in your students, aligned to … learn more

ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education, has developed matrices for implementing skills, standards, and activities into both teacher education methods courses and field experiences. Rather than … learn more

IEA conducts large-scale comparative studies of educational achievement and other aspects of education, with the aim of gaining in-depth understanding of the effects of policies and practices within … learn more

Frank Potter’s Science Gems is a collection of “gems” that could be used to introduce beginning teachers or teachers new to technology to the Web.

A special interest group under the auspices of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) connects researchers and teachers. AERA encourages scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation, and … learn more

The National Writing Project has worked hard to cultivate the concept of teacher as researcher. Online collaboration and publishing have bound this community, spread all over the US, … learn more

Nemours KidsHealth is the most-viewed site for dependable information on children’s health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.

The Learning First Alliance, sponsored by almost all of the major volunteer and professional organizations in education, is dedicated to improving student learning in America’s public schools. They … learn more

One important aspect of family involvement that has been consistently overlooked is the need to prepare teachers for intensive work with families and communities. This study from the … learn more

MOODLE allows you to quickly create – or experiment with – your own on-line learning environment. MOODLE is an acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. Moodle is … learn more

Annenberg Learner provides continuing education and graduate-level courses, in partnership with Colorado State University and PBS TeacherLine.

Edutopia Online, sponsored by the George Lucas Foundation, documents and disseminates innovative practices for administrators. Educators must always hone their craft. Discover the many formal and informal professional … learn more

The ISTE Standards provide the competencies for learning, teaching and leading with technology, and are a comprehensive road map for the effective use of technology in schools worldwide. … learn more

ISTE Blog, formerly EdTekHub, serves up ideas, content and resources for educators. Topics include digital citizenship, education leadership, media literacy, personalized learning, and tools & apps. A free … learn more

Get Educated, a distance learning resource center serves the population of students, eligible for adult education. They publish a free monthly newsletter – back issues are available at … learn more

Teaching Tolerance, part of the Tolerance.org web site, serves as a clearinghouse of information about anti-bias programs and activities. Their goal is to present some of the more … learn more

This article by Lindsay Holmes looks at how we approach mental health and posits that society’s reaction amounts to discrimination. Her proposition is that society’s outlook on mental … learn more

The Conflict Resolution Education Connection is divided into sections by group such as teachers and administrators. You can find classroom activities ,video resources and administrator how-to guides.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357 (HELP), TTY: 1-800-487-4889, is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance … learn more

As a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, there are many ways you can identify and help a teen suffering from depression. Covers identification, treatment, and the importance of … learn more