Description
Intermediate Computer Proficiency required. Read more »
Intermediate computer proficiency courses are designed for individuals who already have good understanding of technology. Participants will build upon their skills by learning how to use a variety of resources, including learning apps, Microsoft 365 apps, and photo and video editing platforms.
Contemporary education is increasing its focus on environmental issues such as the overconsumption of natural resources, climate change, and global warming.
If humanity has a chance to survive the global ecological crisis, raising awareness of these critical challenges among the youngest generations is mandatory.
Accordingly, school teachers are required to promote the value of environmental sustainability.
But how to do it effectively while nurturing students’ attention and curiosity?
This course proposes a learning approach based on the 3D-Printing Maker Culture as a precious strategy to answer the question.
On the one hand, the movement Maker Culture promotes the value of building, modifying, or repairing things by oneself without the direct aid of professionals or certified experts, and emphasizes active and social learning.
Promoters of Maker Culture practice informal, networked, peer-led, and shared learning motivated by fun and self-fulfillment.
On the other hand, 3D printers allow designing, prototyping, and creating small three-dimensional objects directly at home.
Exploited within the Maker Culture movement, they enable the crafting of small components to replace damaged or missing parts in otherwise wrecked objects.
Thus, 3D printing becomes an effective way to recycle broken objects and prevent waste.
This course will introduce participants to the use of 3D printers within the Maker Culture to promote environmental sustainability in schools.
Additionally, participants will learn how to create sustainable filament through upcycling plastic bottles using a specialized machine called the PET Machine.
This innovative process transforms waste into valuable resources, demonstrating a practical application of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Constructive discussion in the course will help participants gain consciousness about the Culture of Repair, Zero-Waste Life, and the Maker Movement. Participants will also meet the world of 3D Modeling and Printing and get inspired by a fruitful visit to the Maker Garage.
Finally, they will be brought to reflect on how to use digital tools, 3D printing, and sustainable filament creation in their classrooms to introduce the Maker Culture and its function in addressing the environmental crisis.
By the end of this course, participants will be familiar with the Maker Culture and Maker spaces. Moreover, they will know the basic principles of 3D Modeling and Printing, as well as how to upcycle plastic waste into filament using the PET Machine.
They will be comfortable using 3D printers and implementing these technologies in their lessons.
Most of all, by having acquired a “repair mindset” and sustainability skills, they will be ready to instill them in their students and become the promoters of a change-maker community.
What is included
Learning outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Identify the sense of “Maker Movement and Culture of Repair”;
- Gain a “repair mindset”;
- Get familiar with the 3D Modeling websites;
- Experience prototyping a 3D production;
- Recognize the 3D Printers and how they work;
- Generate a lesson enriched with 3D Modeling and Printing;
- Utilize the designs while explaining “Spatial relationships” in classrooms;
- Enrich their lessons with the new technology.
- Bolster digital engagement at school;
- Build design thinking in their classes.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Course introduction
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker and warm-up activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools;
- Discussion on trending environmental (e.g., climate change, overconsumption, natural disasters);
Day 2 – Systems Thinking/Circular Economy and Maker Movement
- Learning about Linear vs Circular Economy;
- Hands-on activities: Circular Classroom;
- How to create a “Zero-waste School”?
- Discover your carbon footprint and learn how to decrease it.
Day 3 – 3D Printing & Modeling in Education
- Discussing the areas to use 3D Modeling and printing in education;
- Upcycling with 3D Printing;
- 3D Modeling on Tinkercad;
- Meet the PET Machine: Make your own filament through plastic bottles.
Day 4 – Everything you should know about 3D Printers
- Learning how to slice the 3D models;
- Experiencing 3D Printing individually/ as groups;
- Bed leveling/calibration of the printer and filament loading.
Day 5 – Outdoor Activity: Maker Garage!
- Visiting the Maker Garage to feel the Maker Spirit and get inspired with many tools;
- Brainstorming on how to create a Maker Space at school;
- A session with maker-space essentials.
Day 6 – Course closure & cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.