Educator Rob Morrill holds a Master's degree in English—along with an undeniable knack for technology. After teaching high school English for 19 years, he transitioned to his current role at the St. Matthew's Episcopal Day Maker Lab.
Today, Rob is focused on guiding young minds through the 3D printing and digital design process to teach the importance of additive manufacturing.
Encouraging Innovative Thinking
After using an Ultimaker for various personal projects, Rob Morrill saw the value 3D printing could bring to the educational space.
He began introducing the 3D printing process to St. Matthew's Episcopal Day in 2015 and saw an immediate interest from students. Additive manufacturing, he says, is the perfect way to teach young
learners that they're not only consumers but also creatives capable of conceiving an idea and bringing it to life in a matter of hours.
Students using 3D design to create facilities for a Mars colony.
"3D printing is a powerful way to help students adopt an innovative creator mindset."
They are also ready for challenges. Rob initially found it exciting and amazing that when he started learning 3D printing, he was only slightly ahead of his students.
They were eager to learn and adapt to this new technology through Rob's multifaceted teaching style, which encouraged them to excel among various talents in 3D printing.
A Mars colony designed by fifth graders using 3D printing.
Rob explains: "One of the hallmarks of my teaching is the integration of different fields, technologies, and skill sets. "For example, combining 3D printing with coding, or a lesson in physics or electronics.
When adults create interesting and powerful things, they often use several tools and approaches in conjunction, so I think introducing and reinforcing that approach in students is important and stimulating."
Bringing Ultimaker 3D Printers to Life
When bringing 3D printers into his curriculum, Rob had to consider ease of use, reliability, and quality. St. Matthew's Episcopal Day Maker Lab now has two Ultimaker printers available for
students and faculty: an Ultimaker 2 and an Ultimaker 2+, featuring an extrusion upgrade. He praised the Ultimaker's machine aesthetics,
and Rob noted that the LED lighting and enclosed print environment were impressive, as they allowed students to clearly see their creations come to life.
"3D printing is a marvel, and I love its lights and white walls, which make you marvel at its magic."
A floating ocean colony designed by students and printed with Ultimaker 2.
Thinking Outside the Box for Creative Projects
By finding ways to integrate 3D printing into various courses, Rob challenged his students to think outside the box. Some of his most successful classroom projects include crumple zone bumpers for CO2-powered crash test cars designed and printed by 5th
graders and floating ocean colonies that captured his students' imaginations.
He hopes that by training his 5th graders on how to use CAD software and how to 3D print, he will inspire older students to embrace the technology across all areas of study.
A crumple zone crash test car designed and 3D printed by Rob Crumple zone bumpers designed and 3D printed by students.
Although the printers are most heavily used by 5th graders at St. Matthew's Episcopal Day, Rob also designs and prints objects for fellow faculty members, such as math
manipulatives. The first experience of 3D printing is unforgettable for both students and teachers, strengthening the value of 3D printing in education.
"My students are fascinated watching their prints come to life, transforming digital imaginations into real-world artifacts."
Students using Ultimaker 3D printing Students celebrating Valentine's Day with 3D printing.
It is important that he hopes students and teachers alike take away this power and necessary change.
Rob says, "Students can quickly see the value of printed designs and then repeat the process after testing them in the real world.
" This is great because it applies to many areas of life." Whether it's school projects, work, or conceptualizing inventions, the additive manufacturing process provides
young students with indispensable skills after graduation.
Solving Real-World Problems with 3D Printing
Whenever he encounters a problem or roadblock in the classroom, Rob asks himself, "How can 3D printing solve this?" For example, one of his first-grade students was coding
simple robots, but couldn't effectively change their code because he didn't record its reliability and ease.
To solve this problem, he created interlocking coding blocks that allowed them to record and dynamically change their connected work.
A student designed Turtle blocks and 3D printed them using Ultimaker.
Rob understands that 3D printing will largely involve creative problem-solving in the future, fostering an environment where students have the tools needed to overcome similar obstacles. 3D printing
processes can help teach the value of innovation and the power of necessity, cultivating a very good mindset at such a young age.
If they seize the opportunity to learn and do, it will be very helpful.
By providing students with the space to design, modify, and print objects of their own imagination, the St. Matthew's Episcopal Day Maker Lab is able to provide meaningful and impactful ways to expand the learning experience.
Original source: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/50473-st-matthews-episcopal-day-maker-lab-inspiring-through-innovation