[3D Printing] How will 3D printing transform education? Introducing practical examples from STEAM teachers!

Getting started with education using Ultimaker 3D printers: An analysis by STEM teachers
What technology has had the most significant positive impact across all educational levels and subjects? Is it projectors, printers, laptops, or desktop computers? We believe that if someone asks this question in ten years, they will definitely add 3D printers to that list.

STEM teacher and drone racing coach Jackie Derr collaborated with Mara Hitner, VP of Strategic Partnerships at MatterHackers, to introduce Ultimaker 3D printers to middle school students through project-based learning. This article shares their experience using Ultimaker 2+ Connect and Ultimaker S3 3D printers in the classroom.

Starting with the dual extrusion capabilities of the Ultimaker S3 3D printer, they later added the single-extrusion Ultimaker 2+ Connect 3D printer with an Air Manager to the classroom. Jackie and Mara Hitner hosted a live demo to discuss their experience with the Ultimaker series of printers, while also showcasing various exciting learning projects that students tackled through additive manufacturing. You can view these free 3D printing projects here!

MatterHackers has compiled key takeaways and insights from Jackie's assessment to share with educators considering the introduction of Ultimaker 3D printers in makerspaces at schools and educational institutions.

Deciding to buy a 3D printer — No need to feel anxious!
Reflecting on her own experience of choosing a 3D printer, Jackie talks about how she felt before she actually started using one, and the initial anxieties she had regarding equipment setup and operation.

"It was a great honor to have the opportunity to try out the Ultimaker 2+ Connect... The first one I got my hands on was the Ultimaker S3. I have to admit, I was really, really nervous when I ordered it! I was worried about how I would set it up. But that was a mistake. The setup was incredibly easy!"


Unboxing and setting up a 3D printer — Simple and speedy
After the Ultimaker 2+ Connect arrived, Jackie recorded the entire process from unboxing to setup on video. Watch the speedy and simple unboxing procedure and the preparation required to start printing with the pre-assembled Ultimaker 3D printer.

Key Tip

Regarding the setup of the Ultimaker 2+ Connect, Jackie offers this final piece of advice: "I recommend downloading the manual before you start the setup. The manual guides you through the process step by step."

Alternatively, please contact 3DMART's contact window. Our staff will support you with your setup!


Pros and considerations

Having finished the setup easily, Jackie continued to use her new 3D printer. After working on 3D printing projects and classes with her students, she reviewed the overall benefits of Ultimaker 3D printers and some key points to be aware of.

"When I decided to organize the pros, I thought, 'Okay, let's make a list of the good things about the printer.'"

Pros

• Ease of use right out of the box — Setup is simple.
• User-friendly operation — Easier to use than any other printer I've used before.
• High print quality — Results in clean, smooth prints.
• Wide range of material choices — You can use a variety of filaments! Mara adds that it can handle everything from Polylactic Acid (PLA) to Tough Polylactic Acid (Tough PLA), flexible materials like Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), and even Carbon Fiber and Glass Fiber, and that these materials are highly suitable for classroom use.

Jackie thought if she were to list the pros, she should also list the cons. However, she couldn't find any particularly negative points! So, she listed some points to keep in mind when using the printer.


Considerations

• Removing support structures from printed objects — Support materials printed with the 2+ Connect need to be peeled off or removed with tools. However, since the four printers Jackie used previously required the same task, she didn't feel it was a particular problem. One solution is to have students design objects that require fewer supports, or to change the orientation of the model so that support material becomes unnecessary. This also makes for a good, practical assignment for students.

• Single extrusion vs. dual extrusion — Because the S3 is equipped with dual nozzles, Jackie feels that she has completely mastered the printer. Since she can use support filament, she can just soak the object in a bowl of water once printing is complete to dissolve the support material. By the next day, she has a beautifully finished object!

• Price considerations — Jackie also reflected on her initial experience introducing 3D printing. With a limited budget, the challenge was how many printers she could buy for 120 to 150 students. Therefore, she reasoned she could buy two 2+ Connect printers, and actually purchased two.

Regarding the Ultimaker 3D printers she used, Jackie concluded by saying: "The setup, print quality, ease of use, Cura software—everything is fantastic!"

If you are interested in education-specific discounts or would like to introduce Ultimaker 3D printers into your classroom to get started with 3D printing, please contact 3DMART today!

The two models introduced here are older models. The new S5 and S7 support an even wider range of filament types and have larger build volumes!
👉 For detailed differences, please see this article comparing the S series: 10 things you need to know before choosing an Ultimaker 3D printer!

Ultimaker will be hosting an online webinar on the practical application of 3D printing in classrooms, libraries, and laboratories. It is content perfectly suited for educators! Whether you are thinking of introducing 3D printing, or looking for new technologies and fun tools to capture students' interest and deepen their learning, please join us. You might find the information you need. Instead of spending time searching for information on the internet, you can ask the experts directly!