K-12 Design Project: Freight Car & Train

thingiverse

This is a comprehensive lesson plan that guides students through a design project using 3D modeling software. Here's an outline of the three-day project: **Day 1:** * Introduce the concept of basic elements and larger groupings * Have students create individual parts of the train, such as wheel, chassis, connector, and open bed * Encourage students to work on their own design, but provide a file with basic elements for those who need it * Save time at the end of the period for 1-2 groups to share their work and discuss the process **Day 2:** * Start with a Do Now that gets students thinking about applying the concept of basic elements and larger groupings to other contexts * Have students assemble a freight car from the parts created in Day 1 and then duplicate it to create a line of freight cars * Encourage students to experiment with making each car unique by changing colors or adding/removing details * Share student work if time allows and encourage conversation about the process **Day 3:** * Have students think explicitly about tools they would use to build a locomotive that demonstrates symmetry and balance * Ask students to create a locomotive using parts from the freight car design * Encourage students to articulate the idea that smart design involves minimizing "creating from scratch" * Share student work if time allows and encourage conversation about the process **Results:** * By the end of this project, students should have: + A 3D model with a full train + Pages of documentation and reflection on the modeling process + Whole-class discussion sharing what they learned and how this workflow might influence their design approach in the future **Extensions and Options:** * Create a caboose or add stores, commodities, dry goods, or other supplies to the freight cars * Add people, animals, aliens, or passengers of any sort to the train * Create a poster with screenshots and a written summary reflecting on the workflow/process used to create the trains * 3D print the work and discuss the feasibility of printing the designs Overall, this project encourages students to think creatively about design and the use of basic elements and larger groupings. It also allows for differentiation and extension opportunities for students who need them.