Alberta Elementary School Community-Building

thingiverse

This is a groundbreaking educational project that brings social studies curriculum to life for elementary school students through digital collaboration and 3D printing. Students build a virtual town together, then bring it to reality with 3D printers, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This project aligns seamlessly with multiple elementary-level grade curricula. For more details on the project's progress, connections to curricula, and design, visit my website at https://2teacher4u.wordpress.com/elementary-social-studies-building-a-community/. Here's How I Conceptualized This Project: 1) I created the puzzle piece base using Blender 2.7, leveraging the Boolean modifier for interlocking pieces. 2) Students will use both iPads and PCs to design town details with 123D Design. Project: Building a Community Objectives: * Students create a thriving community with essential resources. * They discuss what they need while considering others' needs, such as churches, entertainment venues, power plants, and FNMI resources. * Students design pieces of the community on iPads and print them using 3D printers. Audiences: This project aligns with Alberta Social Studies curricula for Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2. It also connects to higher elementary grades, making it an ideal ongoing social studies project throughout the years, where students can add onto their town as they learn about government styles, laws, and how they impact different groups. Main Outcomes: Kindergarten: * K.2 Students will demonstrate understanding of community characteristics and interests. * K.2.3 appreciate how participation affects sense of belonging. * K.S.5 demonstrate cooperation, conflict resolution, and consensus building skills. Grade 1: * 1.1 Students will understand how identity and self-esteem are enhanced by their sense of belonging. * 1.1.2 value the groups they belong to. Grade 2: * 2.1 Students will understand how geography, culture, language, heritage, economics, and resources shape Canada's communities. * 2.2 Students will understand community emergence and cooperation among peoples ensuring growth and vitality. Preparation: Before starting this project, students should have a basic understanding of the 123D Design iPad app or 3D Slash software (web or PC). Teachers can use either software at their discretion. Steps: 1) Discuss as a class what students require in a community. Highlight individual needs that others may not have. 2) Students sign up to design specific aspects of the town, ensuring most discussed elements are being designed. 3) Students work individually or in pairs on iPads under the classroom AutoDesk account. Save designs to the cloud with appropriate names (e.g., "BillysTownPiece"). 4) Teachers adapt town pieces to a blank puzzle piece template using 123D Design PC software and print off town pieces, labeling each student's contribution. 5) Watch as the town grows, allowing students to place their puzzle pieces and marvel at its expansion. Differentiation: For students who don't wish to use iPads or computers, have blank puzzle piece templates printed out ahead of time for them to work on with materials of their choice. Allow students to design multiple pieces if they wish, focusing on one at a time. Results: Use the two 123D Design pieces I created as exemplars for students, demonstrating how they fit together and are vital community components. Ideally, each student will design and print one town piece, symbolizing their belonging in the community. Assessment: I wouldn't assign summative marks for completing puzzle pieces but would use the town as an example to parents of their child's belonging in the community, keeping written records of when they showed great community spirit.