Makerbot, New 3D printer, Amazes students at Clay

Story by Danny Rhoad​

As the extruder moves rapidly back and forth, a gray mechanical hand begins to form.
 
Once hooked up to wires, this mechanical hand could operate as a prosthetic hand.
 
During the second semester in Tech Ed, the class has received a new machine.
 
“It helps you express your creativity and you can design almost anything and have it become real.” Anna Grace Hook, seventh grade Tech. Ed. student  said. She is talking about the Makerbot.
 
The Makerbot is a new 3D printer in the Tech Ed. lab. Clay has had a 3D printer in the Tech Ed lab since the beginning of the year, but this 3D printer is new and advanced.
 
“It has a robotic term analysis, has smart capabilities with sensors for easy setup and user friendly, also very accurate.” Mr. Dial, Tech Ed teacher said. Clearly this piece of technology is very advanced and is very creative.
 
There is also a Makerbot in the Makerspace. Mrs. Stephanie Swarzendruber, media specialist, wrote a grant for it this past fall. It arrived in January.
 
Students in Tech Ed enjoy having the Makerbot in the class.
 
Megan Cunningham, seventh grade Tech. Ed. student, said it's something cool to show off, and it's a cool feature to have in the class. Students are also allowed to design and make something using the Makerbot.
 
The Makerbot helps the students learn about technology. It also shows them how they can use technology to help people in the community.
 
“I learned how to help society with the technology and it can improve the lives of people and you can do amazing things, like print a prosthetic,” Anna Grace said. So it helps the students think about what they can do to help by using the Makerbot.
 
The Makerbot works in a very specific way. It has very specific movements and has to follow the exact steps from the design on the computer.
 
“By using FDM (Fuse Deposition Modeling), which is heating plastic through a nosil, and extruding to build layer upon layer to form an object,” Mr. Dial said. Those are the exact steps the Makerbot has to use to perform correctly.
 
Since students are able to use the Makerbot it has giving them a chance to show their creativity. It has really brought a new vibe to Tech Ed and has made it just a little bit more interesting. Megan Cunningham said, “It’s something fun to tell the other classes!”

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