First MakerBot STEAM Makeathon Yields 3D Printing Creativity

First MakerBot STEAM Makeathon Yields 3D Printing Creativity

The first summer STEAM Makeathon gathered educators from all levels for two days of collaboration and learning.

The Winners

Team Macakcat won first place for the Ozobot ‘Hardware’ Helmet Upgrade Accessory Kit Project. Both team members received a MakerBot Replicator® Desktop 3D Printer.

Team NaK won second place for the Sodium Potassium Biological Electrogenic Pump Project. Both team members received an Ozobot Bundle and a copy of MakerBot in the Classroom.

Selected STEAM Projects

Sodium Potassium Biological Electrogenic Pump

Designed for high school and college-level biology or physics, this project challenges students to understand a central concept behind how tissue like nerves and muscles work. Students must assemble, 3D print, and explain a model of how a living cell moves sodium and potassium ions across a cell membrane to establish a voltage difference across the membrane.

Fab Four Phoenix

Designed for middle school students and beyond, this project remixes the 3D Phoenix Robotic Hand. It encourages students to design and 3D print a customizable, wearable cuff. This project teaches concepts such as basic engineering principles, units of measurement, and more.

Paint Pendulum

This project was developed by collaborators at each end of the EDU spectrum, a kindergarten teacher and college professor. Once set in motion, the pendulum drips out paint that will eventually make a pattern on a piece of paper below. For young students, this project can teach kinetic and mechanical energy and combine art with 3D printing.

Designing a Mathematical Rollercoaster

Students must rely on their knowledge of functions to hand design a roller coaster. They use a plotter to digitally plot graphs which serve as a basis for a 3D design.

To learn more, visit the Summer Makeathon group.