The Computer Science department has been busy this term running the inaugural 3D Printing Competition as just one part of the School’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) provision. The school has a Makerbot Replicator 3D printer, which has an advanced dual extruder that can be synced with 3D design software to create 3D object files.
The first iteration of the competition was to design an International School of Moscow keyring using TinkerCad design software. The competition was popular amongst the students, especially those who have been attending the Coding and Robotics After School Activity, who used the time and support there to polish off their designs.
After some tough deliberation, the winning design was chosen by Head of Computing and Media, and Chief Technical Tinkerer / Fixer / Programmer at ISM Krylatskoye, Kieran Haren. The winner was Darya Kazakova, one of our Year 10 GCSE Computer Science students, who has shown a real flair and interest in 3D and graphic design. Well done, Darya!
The next theme for the 3D Printer Challenge competition is a ‘Spooky Design’, which ties in nicely with the upcoming Halloween festivities in and around school. We look forward to seeing lots more entries and awarding a fitting prize to the winner!
The competition is a great opportunity for our students to learn some Computer Aided Design skills. It also tests their problem-solving skills in having to implement some basic engineering and mathematical concepts. Well done to everyone who has entered and helped with the technical support for programming and trouble-shooting the printer.
A special mention has to be made to Andrei Samarin, who has taken a keen interest in the practical challenges of printing out the 3D designs.
By Simon Tinning,
Teacher of Computer Science and Business Studies
