For schools that have launched inventive makerspaces, there’s a good chance that 3D printers are already very much on your radar. For those with more traditional learning models, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be as well. In 21st century education, 3D printing is an extremely valuable endeavor, offering students in almost any grade a truly unique learning opportunity that combines creative design, innovative technology, and collaborative experiences. Contrary to popular opinion, 3D printing is affordable, effective, and immersive and, for students looking to get innovative in the classroom, here are some of the best, most child-friendly 3D printers on the market.
XYZ da Vinci AiO
The XYZ 3D printing company has made a name for itself by producing affordable, age-appropriate and powerful 3D printers for all levels of education. With 14 various 3D printing models on the market, XYZ has begun to revolutionize 3D printing in the K-12 landscape. Their printers are extremely affordable with some of the smaller models coming in at under $300. XYZ also has full-scale printers—some of which weigh upwards of 50 pounds—and mini versions of the same product, which are appealing to younger children and able to be used effectively in early education. The most impressive trait of each of XYZ’s 3D printers, however, might be their affordability.
First on our list of innovative and affordable 3D printing options for schools is the XYZ da Vinci 1.0 AiO 3D Printer and Scanner. Wow, sounds like that machine is capable of a lot, huh? It definitely is! For only $555, the AiO, which stands for All in One, provides users of any experience level with an intuitive 3D printing (or scanning) experience from start to finish. The technology inside the AiO allows it to be used for both printing tangible objects and scanning them to create digital drawings. Plus, its sensationally simple software makes the design process extra easy for students. Especially in the 21st century, this particular version of XYZ printers is able to help truly personalize education. While not so much personalizing instruction, the AiO empowers kids to craft custom creations and enables them to show off their skills while expressing their interests.
The AiO features laser-sensor technology, which allows it to scan tangible objects into its memory in just minutes. Installation, use, and replacement of its ABS filaments is exceptionally easy as well. The AiO features the compatible colors of purple, white, orange, yellow, black, green, and blue and it will let users know if there is not enough filament remaining to complete the printing job they have created. While we supply and recommend the ABS filaments for the XYZ AiO, the printer also supports PLA filament as well. As for the scanner, this portion of the printer uses slit laser triangulation technology to deliver impressive accuracy and fine resolution. Finally, the AiO is compatible with both Mac’s and PC’s, allowing students in just about any classroom to employ an exceptional 3D printing experience without any hassle!
Ultimaker Original
Like XYZ, the Ultimake 3D printing company has manufactured a variety of different printers for use in an assortment of grade levels and by students with a wide range of abilities. Their products have evolved from one machine and both expanded and slimmed down on 3D printer models. With what they call an “extended version,” “extended plus,” and “mini,” Ultimaker has something for students of all ages, eliminating apprehensions of educators who are fearful that their students are too young to begin trying 3D printing. Additionally, Ultimaker has some unique features that give students opportunities for innovative learning not found in most 3D printing products.
We are going to focus on the Ultimaker Original 3D printer and the one thing that sets it apart from all others. Aside from being a fully functional 3D printer, the Ultimaker Original is also largely DIY! Students can construct the printer themselves, following guides to assemble its various parts before it goes to work for them, printing out precise sculptures every time. While building the Ultimaker Original, kids are fully engaged and constantly uncovering how things work. They’re able to transform their creative energy into the design and manufacturing of tangible objects using a very efficient machine. With the Ultimaker Original and as early as junior high school, students can recreate original ideas, customize projects, and hone their tech skills all at the same time!
At just $995, the Ultimaker Original is a value-filled learning tool for schools determined to make 3D printing a regular part of the curriculum. Its accuracy and speed also contribute to its overall value along with its crisp resolution and easy-to-use software. With intuitive controls that lend itself to students’ specific skill sets, the Ultimaker Original gives kids the freedom to bring their creative designs to life! Since they’re constantly constructing from the time they begin setting this printer up, kids will be able to constantly collaborate and combine their ideas to create projects that have decorative value or real-world relevance for solving important problems. Using Ultimaker, kids will be able to develop the real-world skills they need while manufacturing with (and manufacturing) a friendly and affordable 3D printer.
XYZ miniMaker
We talked about XYZ being an innovative and adaptable 3D printing company and they’ve shown that once again with the release of one of their latest products. The miniMaker 3D printer is a 3D printer that’s designed specifically for use by students in the early grades. Created to look more like a toy than a high-tech, durable, and powerful 3D printer, the miniMaker is able to pull kids in without scaring them away. Its exterior design is friendly, making it seem like something kids would be able to control and use with very little help from their teachers. Plus, it’s lightweight, easy to store, and still yields high-quality results much like the larger printers in the XYZ line.
Perfectly sized to fit on the tops of student desks, the miniMaker creates an accessible environment for beginner 3D printing adventures! The miniMaker is especially useful in schools with vibrant makerspaces as its small size makes it easily transportable from classroom to classroom. Perhaps the best part about the miniMaker is that it only prints with DEHP- and Heavy metal-free PLA filament. Why is this important, you might ask? It’s not because this yields the most aesthetically pleasing prints, but, rather, this is the safest filament for the children using the miniMaker to be around. Prints created by the miniMaker are 100 percent safe for children both in texture and in the non-toxic substances used to construct them.
If price is your biggest concern when introducing 3D printing to classrooms, you may have found your new printer. At just $249.95, the miniMaker is our cheapest 3D printer and one of the most affordable in the world. Other features besides its small size that make it ideal for children are its non-heated print bed, which ensures child safety, and its auto-calibration feature, which improves efficiency. Despite its small size, the miniMaker actually has enhanced speed, an auto-leveling bed, and an auto-calibrating extruder. No longer do teachers have to wait until kids enter junior high or high school to engage them in 3D printing. With precise features, an accessible design, and child-friendly software, the XYZ miniMaker is the perfect 3D printer for students in Grades 1-4!
MOD-t
When it comes to 3D printers suitable for use in the classroom, educators can usually find some decent options that are the right size for kids or affordable for their school’s budget. So, when one comes along that’s the perfect combination of child-friendly and price-friendly, it’s kind of hard not to notice. That’s exactly the case with New Matter’s new MOD-t 3D printer, a powerful, quiet, and favorably priced printer that delivers real results. Whether it’s intended for use in homes or classrooms, MOD-t is definitely one of the best bets, especially for kids or adults who are new to the 3D printing world. Packaged in a compact case, MOD-t makes 3D printing accessible to everyone, further ensuring that students have the chance to engage in a true 21st century learning experience.
At just $399, the MOD-t is one of the more affordable options on the market and does not sacrifice performance for this low price. Its power and precision are second to none as the MOD-t is able to print highly detailed sculptures in a wide variety of colors—something you don’t always get from a lot of 3D printers. Since it is a smaller 3D printer, most of the objects created with the MOD-t are smaller in size and a lot of them can even fit in the palms of kids’ hands. What it lacks in size, however, it makes up in detail. In just the short time we have had a MOD-t in our office, we have printed a couple dozen tools and trinkets and each one seems to be more impressive than the last! The other good thing about the MOD-t’s small size is that the prints don’t take too long to complete. Students are able to be exposed to the 3D printing experience but do not have to wait hours for their projects to be complete as most prints are done in less than two hours!
Since it is so easy to use and control, MOD-t is very useful for first-time 3D printers, especially in a classroom setting. Using this desktop device, students are able to enjoy an end-to-end and fully integrated 3D printing experience. It’s sleek and elegant, but also flashy and simple, able to print objects of many different sizes. Most importantly, the MOD-t is incredibly reliable. It is made to last and seldom breaks down or needs repairs—perfect for STEM students who like to continue making constantly! Like the XYZ miniMaker, the MOD-t is also a viable option in the early grades. Kids as young as second or third grade can start learning how to 3D print with help from their teachers and engage in some valuable collaborative group work at the same time! If you’re looking to try 3D printing in the classroom this year or next, the MOD-t is definitely a printer you should consider.
Carvey
A bit different from the rest of the printers on the list, we thought we’d take things in a different direction with our final recommendation. Carvey isn’t actually technically a 3D printer—it’s a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine. More so designed for use in makerspaces than in classrooms, Carvey is an extremely powerful tool that empowers students to design and create pretty prolific projects. The idea of CNC machines is similar to 3D printers in that students are able to input designs and receive 3D objects in return. The major difference between CNC machines and 3D printers, however, is that CNC machines are more subtractive whereas 3D printers are additive. Let me explain. When using a 3D printer, the machine manufactures an object out of a string of filament—it builds the object up or adds to it. In CNC machines, users supply a block of material (wood, for example) and the machines shapes it into the design that’s needed (more subtractive as it gets rid of the unnecessary parts).
Carvey is suited more towards high school students as the technology involved is a bit more complicated—and a bit more powerful. It allows kids to convert complex, conceptual ideas into physical products they can use in their classrooms or outside of school to solve real-world problems. With a very straightforward loading process, Carvey simplifies manufacturing for students of all skill levels and, since their hard work leads to the emergence of objects they can touch and feel, Carvey truly helps authenticate the making experience. Plus, Carvey is extremely inclusive, conducive to group work, safe, easy to clean, and quiet, making it an attractive option for educators who are faced with some of these concerns.
The printing surface of the Carvey is completely enclosed by a clear, plastic case, which eliminates exposure to potentially harmful substances and protects against contact with high temperatures. It is also extremely accurate, rarely producing misprints or something different than what students had in mind. In makerspaces particularly, Carvey helps reduce technology-related complications, puts control in the hands of the students, and ignites creative customization while kids engage in some heavy-duty making. As for the design phase, Carvey comes with its own software program called Easel, which was designed by the Carvey creators and is easy to sync with the machine as well as simple for students to use. The end result is an enhanced learning experience and objects of all shapes and sizes as well as different materials, including wood, plastic, linoleum, and aluminum.
If you think you might want to try 3D printing in your classroom, let us know and we’ll be glad to help! We can provide schools with starter activities for exciting projects, recommend the printer that’s right for you, and possibly provide a quote for a reduced price!
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