Spicewood Elementary School Kindergarten students explored the function of a 3D printer in connection with their unit of inquiry, Where We Are in Place and Time. As students began finding out the purpose of play and the characteristics of games, they began exploring the function of a 3D printer and the possibility of being able to “print” or create something that would be useful to them and their learning. With this introduction to 3D printing, we can see students making connections to various ways they can use it in their classroom, such as 3D printing dice for their math games, printing characters they will use in storytelling, and designing their own game pieces to include in a game they will be constructing at the end of their unit. Our investigation of this innovative technology has sparked curiosity and imagination throughout the grade level!
