The challenge is this. Use Tinkercad, a 3D modeling program, and a 3D
printer to fill the 2x5 inch cutouts in the student tables in Mrs. Blackley's
classroom. Prototypes are often among the early steps in the design process,
but like those first baby steps in our lives, they can be exhilarating and
self-affirming, and can open a seam into previously unforeseen possibilities.
That's how we arrived at this photo to the left.
Like most inventions, this design thinking challenge arose out of
necessity. Mrs. Blackley's student tables had cutouts to provide an outlet for
power cords and cables for electronic devices. A black plastic grommet insert
sat on top of the cutout, providing a grooved outlet for cables. The thing is
with well-charged, wireless devices these portholes were not necessary, while
the grommet became a "bump" on the table.
Enter the lead design challenge team. They are the lead team, not
just because they have been assigned this initial task, but they will also
assume responsibilities for helping to train other fourth grade students, all
of whom will receive their own design challenges this year. With guidance and
instruction from Mr. Fitzpatrick, these students are contemplating how to
redesign the grommet or make use of the cutout.
So in Tinkercad, they designed prototypes that improve upon the
original grommet. Some prototypes sit more flush with the table surface, so
there's less of a bump. Some took advantage of the cutout and used it as
storage. Another iteration looked at building up from the hole, rather than
concealing its presence, to create a fashionable school supply organizer. For
students today, the possibilities are endless, when they believe they can
pursue them. In the end, this challenge is indicative of learning in schools
today that is meaningful to students and elicit their best efforts out of the
sheer desire to achieve a measure of success that they have a hand in defining. - Paul Tomizawa
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