Looking for a fresh start in the new year? Look no further. We have just what you need to get students’ attention and spark hands-on learning with 3D printing using the 3Doodler Start or Create+ pens in the classroom or at home.

Schools across the globe encouraged outdoor learning this year to reduce the spread of the pandemic and students couldn’t be happier. In fact, many schools are looking to keep outdoor learning experiences in place even as temps dip and winter weather moves in.

“They’re seeing the outdoors around them and it brings relevancy to what they’re studying,” said Cindy Soule, a fourth grade teacher in Maine, in a recent article. “They will remember that forever.”

Encouraging students to explore the outdoors and apply real-world concepts to their work is easier than you might think with a few new lessons we’re excited to share.

Ellen Peterson, a science teacher at Smithfield Middle School and frequent Doodler, offers up her wintry mix of new lessons designed for students in grades 6-12.

Frozen Bubbles & Bubble Wands – (Grades 6-8)

Students will delight in this hands-on experiment with a cool twist! Designing your own bubble wand in 3D is a fun, creative, and easy way to boost learning outcomes and study changes in temperature. Using the scientific method, students will make hypotheses, track their observations, collect data, and record their findings. Freezing the bubbles either in dry ice or during a quick trip outdoors enables students to measure their bubbles for added experimentation and study. What did the class learn about the “perfect” bubble?

Platonic Solid Snowman Math Challenge – (Grades 9-12)

In this lesson, students will research and study the Platonic solids with an opportunity to apply their learning and craft their own model in 3D. Once their research is complete, students will choose 3 platonic solids that they learned about to construct a snowman with the 3Doodler Create+ pen. At the end of the lesson, students report their findings and share their snowman creations. How many different snowmen designs can they create?

Winter is a fantastic time of year for outdoor exploration and providing new creative hands-on learning opportunities.

What other hands-on lessons do you have planned in 2021? Share your fun classroom lessons and designs with us by tagging: @3Doodler #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate