The XYZprinting Grades 6-8 STEAM Curriculum: One Lesson is designed to deliver an engaging STEAM-based lesson, using child-friendly 3D software and 3D printers. Created using Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the lesson can be mixed with existing school curricula or used as a standalone lesson. The curriculum has an emphasis on teaching 3D design principles and encourages collaborative learning and problem-solving skills.
Please note that you will have access to only one lesson plan from the curriculum topics listed below.
One Lesson from This Curriculum List
Curriculum 1
Atoms and Molecular Composition of Compounds (Physical Science)
Students will learn about the different types of matter. Using their knowledge of elements and compounds, students will build simple molecules. This visual representation of atomic composition will enable students to better understand common elements and compounds.
Curriculum 2
Mini Telescope (Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science)
Students will learn about the components of a basic Galilean telescope. They will learn about how telescopes collect light and magnify the image. Students will also learn about convex and concave lenses and how light behaves when it passes through them. The Design A Telescope project will allow students to 3D model and print their own version of a mini telescope.
Curriculum 3
Solar Cooker (Physical Science)
Students will create an insulated box, a solar cooker, or a Styrofoam cup and test different types of filaments to see the thermal energy transfer.
Curriculum 4
Earth, Moon, and Sun Systems (Earth and Space Science)
Students will learn about the patterns of motion of the Sun, Moon, and Earth. They will learn about the phases of a lunar eclipse and how seasons occur and use the concept of scale and proportion to explain the distance between these objects. Students will also create a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to help explain the patterns seen in observations of the system.
Curriculum 5
Tool Design: Wrench Part 1 (Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science)
Students will create a set of various wrench designs that utilize 3D modeling and mathematical solutions, such as geometry and trigonometry concepts. They will learn about various math concepts as well as torque and other engineering principles.
Curriculum 6
Tool Design: Wrench Part 2 (Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science)
Students will evaluate the various types of wrench designs in order to determine the applications and usage for each type of shape (hex bolt head versus triangular screw head, etc.) Geometrical shapes will be an important factor in their understanding of how each design is created and the mechanical properties each design creates.
Curriculum 7
Tool Design: Wrench Part 3 (Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science)
In this section, the previous designs will be analyzed to determine the effectiveness of each design and shape. Students will outline the properties of each design, such as cost to manufacture, mechanical properties, torque, leverage, and more.
Curriculum 8
Tool Design: Wrench Part 4 (Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science)
Students will create a set of various wrench designs that utilize 3D modeling and mathematical solutions, such as geometry and trigonometry concepts.
Curriculum 9
Electromagnets (Physical Science)
Students will experiment with electromagnets to see what effects electricity has on a magnet. In the design section of the lesson, students will build a housing for a simple electric motor that they will create.
Curriculum 10
Demolition Ball (Physical Science)
Students will learn about how kinetic energy is utilized with speed and mass by designing two varying sized spheres that represent a wrecking ball and conducting tests to analyze which design is most effective.
Curriculum 11
Mini Windmill (Physical Science)
Students will do research on the wind capacity in their own communities. They will also do research on the variables that affect the wind turbine blade design so that they can 3D model and test their own wind turbines.
Curriculum 12
Roller Coaster Track (Physical Science)
Students will learn the difference between potential and kinetic energy by designing a roller coaster track made out of foam pipe insulation. They will hypothesize how different designs and heights contribute to higher kinetic energy. Students will also be introduced to the equation used to calculate potential energy and will be able to identify variables, as well as make predictions, regarding the relationships between those variables.
Curriculum 13
Springs (Physical Science)
Using a compression or extension spring will allow students to creatively think about how this mechanism could be integrated into various applications. Different design challenges can be presented to them for use in developing their own design.
Curriculum 14
Laser Light Plates (Physical Science)
Students will learn about the difference between electromagnetic and magnetic waves. They will also learn about basic wave properties and what happens to light when it shines on different materials. Students will use their understanding of wave properties, along with their prior knowledge, to create a device that will help them test how light will behave.
Curriculum 15
Cells (Life Science)
Students will learn about different types of plant and animal cells. Using online simulations, students will learn about the function of, and be able to identify, different organelles in the cell. Students will also learn about the scientists who contributed to cell theory and view cell samples under a microscope. Students will then 3D model a plant or animal cell, along with specific organelles.
Curriculum 16
Sensory System (Life Science)
Students will model simplified axons and dendrites to understand how the receptors respond to stimuli. Students will also learn about how degenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, result in a disruption of the flow of information in nerve cells by modeling that type of nerve cell.
Curriculum 17
The Object Holder (Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science)
Students will design a smartphone or tablet holder to meet the specific requirements provided to them. These parts will be designed to adapt to these devices to fit a specific application that will aide in their experiment design or as a tool that will help with conducting experiments, such as data collection, visual inspection, and more.