Tag Archives: education

3D Printed Robot Mobot Looks to Revolutionize STEM Education

3D Printed Robot Mobot

3D Printed Robot Mobot to Enhance STEM Education

The Mobot modular 3D printed robot was developed for middle school and high school students to learn science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects. Modules can attach to each other and accessories to form new and exciting configurations.

“As 3D printers become more and more common place in the classroom there’s a need for engaging projects and curriculum to tie this powerful tool into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects,” said Graham Ryland, President and Co-founder of Barobo Incorporated. “We’re excited to launch the Mobot-A robot kit which offers students the opportunity to learn 21st century skills by building a robot from the ground up.”

Starting this month, all the plastic parts, accessories, assembly instructions, and curriculum for the Mobot-A will be available to download from the company’s website. The Mobot-A kit includes the internal electronics, motors, and fasteners. Users 3D print the rest. The launch of the Mobot-A kit follows a successful Beta program where over 300 robots were used in more than 30 high schools and middle schools to teach STEM subjects.

Once assembled, the Mobot-A can attach to other robots and accessories to form new and unique machines. Students can design their own accessories to attach to the robot and print on a 3D printer. In this way there’s no limit to what can be created. Curriculum ties these robot projects into math principles and students are exposed to basic programming.

“We’re breaking from traditional business models and relying on our users to, not just assemble the robot, but play an active role in manufacturing the plastic parts,” said Graham Ryland. “We’ve proven the technology in the classroom and want to get it into students’ hands as quickly and cheaply as possible. Relying on customers to manufacture their own plastic parts wasn’t an option just a few years ago, but 3D printing technology has made this new way of rolling out an educational product possible.”

Product Features:

  •     Wireless programming over Bluetooth.
  •     Structured curriculum tying activities into STEM subject.
  •     Kids learn 21st century skills.

Included in the Mobot-A Kit are:

  •     Electronics, Motor, Batteries, and Fasteners
  •     Detailed Assembly Instruction and Curriculum
  •     Easy to use Software

The kit is available for $139.95 and you can download the robot parts for free to 3D print yourself.

Below is a video showing the Mobot in action.

Here is a video by Bridgeway Island Computer Programming Elective who won 1st place at the UC Davis CSTEM Day.

Top 10 Countdown: Most Popular 3D Printing Stories in February 2013

President Obama 3D Printing State of the Union

Here are the top 10 most popular stories On 3D Printing brought you in February 2013.

10. 3D Printing Retail Store Hosts Open House in Denver, CO

9. Make: Where Do We Really Stand On 3D Printing?

8. Cornell Professor Develops Technique for 3D Printing a Human Ear

7. Details on the 3D Printing Institute from Obama’s SOTU Address

6. Accused of Stealing, 3D Printing Design Marketplace 3DLT Apologizes

5. NPR Discusses 3D Printed Guns on Morning Edition

4. Biofabrication: Scientists 3D Print Stem Cells to Create Human Organs

3. Video: The Best 7 TED Talks On 3D Printing

2. Must-See Infographic: How 3D Printing Will Revolutionize the Classroom

1. President Obama Calls 3D Printing “Revolutionary” in State of the Union

 

Thanks for reading in February!

Top 3D Printing Headlines Last Week: Education, Infographic, Ears

3D Printing Classroom Infographic Preview

A roundup of the top news On 3D Printing brought you from February 18 to February 24:

Wednesday, February 20

Must-See Infographic: How 3D Printing Will Revolutionize the Classroom

3D Printing Classroom Infographic Preview

As 3D printing becomes more accessible to the public, educators are learning how this technology can – and is – revolutionizing the classroom.

In this rich infographic by OnlineDegrees.org, the subject of 3D printing in education is explored.

Key topics include:

  • Which universities have embraced 3D printing
  • Materials used in 3D printing
  • How 3D printing is being incorporated into the classroom
  • 3D lesson plans

3D Printing Classroom Infographic

 

 

Published under Creative Commons license.

3D Printing in the Classroom to Accelerate Adoption of Technology

3D Printing Classroom Cornell

Interest in 3D printing is increasing, and there are new programs introducing the technology into the classroom to encourage students to get exposure to the potential of 3D printing at an early age.

In a recent New York Times blog post following President Obama’s State of the Union address, the question was posed:

“Can the United States get a foothold in manufacturing one 3D printer at a time?”

The article continued to cite several examples of how education programs for 3D printing may make this reality.

Hod Lipson Cornell 3D Printing

First, the Creative Machine Labs at Cornell:

Hod Lipson, an associate professor and the director of the Creative Machines Lab at Cornell, said “3-D printing is worming its way into almost every industry, from entertainment, to food, to bio- and medical-applications.”

It won’t necessarily directly create manufacturing jobs, except perhaps for the printers themselves. Dr. Lipson, the co-author of “Fabricated: The New World of 3D Printing,” said that the technology “is not going to simply replace existing manufacturing anytime soon.” But he said he believed that it would give rise to new businesses. “The bigger opportunity in the U.S. is that it opens and creates new business models that are based on this idea of customization.”

University of Virginia Professor Glen Bull a Leader in Promoting Educational Technology

Second, new programs at the University of Virginia:

In addition to the lab that the president mentioned, a federally financed manufacturing innovation institute in Youngstown, Ohio, schools are embracing the technology. The University of Virginia has been working to introduce 3D printers into some programs from kindergarten through 12th grade in Charlottesville to prepare students for a new future in manufacturing.

“We have 3D printers in classrooms, and in one example, we’re teaching kids how to design and print catapults that they then analyze for efficiency,” said Glen L. Bull, professor and co-director of the Center for Technology and Teacher Education. “We believe that every school in America could have a 3D printer in the classroom in the next few years.”

The education system may want to speed things up. The time between predictions for 3D printers and the reality of what they can accomplish is compressing rapidly.

 

Read the full feature at the NYTimes blog.