3D Printing & Design Program — Grades 3-5, 6-8
3D Printing and Design I (Beginner)
This program introduces students to the world of 3D design and printing. Using Tinkercad — a free, beginner-friendly, browser-based design tool that requires no prior experience — students learn the basics of CAD (computer-aided design) while building design thinking, problem-solving, and technical literacy skills.
Students experiment with Tinkercad's design tools to learn the fundamentals of how 3D design and printing work, then apply their creativity to hands-on projects, building digital design skills that culminate in real, physical 3D printed objects they can hold in their hands.
Projects range from custom keychains and imaginary creatures to handy everyday gadgets and simple inventions that solve real problems at home, school, or in the community — developed through a design-thinking process.
By the end of the program, students have the skills and confidence to bring their own ideas to life as custom-designed objects, and are ready to pursue more advanced 3D design concepts and methods. Continuing on to Level II is recommended for students who want to build real proficiency as independent 3D design makers.
3D Printing and Design II (Intermediate)
Building on the fundamentals from Level I, students continue developing their design fluency — taking their ideas further by designing more complex shapes and bringing them into the physical world as functional, real-world objects. This program shifts focus from single objects toward multi-part designs, working models, and finished pieces built to last.
Students expand their Tinkercad skills to design more complex shapes, import outside images and 3D models, and create projects with interlocking or movable parts — like puzzles and functioning toys.
Projects challenge students to design models that are visually considered and built to hold up in the real world. Students learn to design smarter — like building an object in separate parts for a cleaner finish — rather than relying on heavy supports and cleanup after printing. Students design and build more complex objects that work in real-world settings, refining their designs through iteration to bring each piece closer to a truly finished, professional result.
By the end of the program, students have a stronger command of CAD design principles, hands-on experience designing multi-part and movable objects, and the fluency and confidence to plan, design, and produce their own original 3D printed works.
*See examples of student work in the gallery below.
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Program Length Options
This program is available in multiple formats to fit your school's schedule:
- 8 weeks — Level I (Beginner) fundamentals: an introduction to 3D design and printing with Tinkercad.
- 10 weeks — Level I fundamentals, plus select techniques such as importing images and 3D models and designing more complex, multi-part designs.
- 12 weeks — Level I and Level II combined, covering both beginner and intermediate skills.
- 16 weeks — Full Level I and Level II curriculum, with complete project depth and additional time for revision and skill-building.
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Digital Wearable Design & 3D Printing (8 Weeks)
Digital Wearable Design & 3D Printing
This program introduces students to the unique challenges and creative possibilities of designing wearable objects — like rings, bracelets, and other body-worn forms — using Tinkercad and 3D printing.
Students learn how wearability shapes design: considering fit, comfort, sizing, and how a piece sits and moves on the body, alongside the same CAD fundamentals used in 3D design more broadly. Projects challenge students to design pieces that are both aesthetically considered and comfortable to actually wear — balancing creative form with the practical requirements of the human body.
Students also have the opportunity to personalize their designs — incorporating their name, initials, or other custom details — as they begin to explore and discover their own design style.
By the end of the program, students have designed and printed their own original wearable pieces, and have a foundational understanding of how to design thoughtfully for the body — a skill applicable to jewelry, fashion, and wearable product design more broadly.
*Wearable 3D printing designs shown are instructor samples.
Program Gallery
