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3-D Printing

After reading and researching 3-D printing, I thought, how am I going to incorporate this into reading?!  I believe that it would be a great opportunity to collaborate with my co-teacher that teaches science and social studies (she is not into technology).  The students could pick an inventor from the Industrial Revolution, and instead of making a poster or using Google Slides with pictures on it, they could make a mini model of the invention. This would allow students to see how it works.  While, they would still write out the paper portion, or use the computer, I think this be an excellent lesson. They would be able to see and touch their models.  It would bring student engagement to a new level.  The possibilities seem to be endless in science in social studies.

There are a few differences in 3-D printing and rapid prototyping such as a 3-D printer cannot print large items and you may not be able to select build parameters or adjust them, it does not have as many materials, and the biggest difference would be the price. Prototyping is much more expensive and can cost almost double to maintain and keep up.  Maintaining a rapid prototyping machine can cost anywhere from $20-$50,000 dollars depending on what needs to be replaced.  To maintain a 3-D printer it normally costs several hundred to a couple thousand dollars. 3-D printers are also easier to use and do not require training, whereas, when using a prototyping machine, you may need training from the moment you pull it out of the box.

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