This grant is for filament to support student use of our 3D printers. Our school has already invested in four high-quality 3D printers, and this funding will provide the consumable materials needed to keep them running. With this filament, students will be able to design, print, test, and revise physical models, giving them the opportunity to fully engage in the engineering design process through hands-on STEAM learning.
This grant will benefit students by giving them the materials needed to bring their ideas to life through 3D printing. Students will be able to move beyond designing on a screen and actually create, test, and improve physical models. This hands-on process strengthens problem-solving, creativity, spatial reasoning, and perseverance while helping students engage more deeply in the engineering design process and STEAM learning.
The anticipated outcome of this grant is that students will have consistent access to the filament needed to fully participate in 3D design and printing projects. With these materials available, students will be able to create digital models, produce physical prints, evaluate the results, and make improvements based on what they learn through the process. This will strengthen student skills in problem-solving, spatial reasoning, creativity, and the engineering design cycle.
Success will be measured by student participation and completed projects. Specifically, success will be shown through the number of students who are able to design and print models, the completion of multiple student print projects, and students’ ability to revise and improve their designs based on print results. A successful outcome will mean that students are actively using the 3D printers as intended and engaging in meaningful hands-on STEAM learning.
I will implement this grant by purchasing filament for our existing 3D printers and using it as part of regular student STEAM projects. Students will use 3D modeling software to design objects, print their models, and then evaluate and revise their work based on the results. Because the printers are already in place and ready to use, the grant can be implemented immediately and will directly support ongoing hands-on learning in the classroom. The filament will be utilized by grades 6-8.
This grant can easily be shared with other grade levels and members of our subject team. Because the filament supports the use of existing 3D printers, the materials can be used across multiple classes and projects. This creates opportunities for other teachers and grade levels to incorporate 3D design, engineering, and hands-on STEAM learning into their instruction as well.
At this time, I am not receiving any other outside funding sources for this project. School funding has already been used to purchase filament for this year, which has helped support current student use of our 3D printers. This grant would provide additional funding to continue supplying the filament needed for ongoing student design and printing projects. If additional support is needed in the future, I may also explore site-based instructional funds or other grant opportunities.