Final Project: Preliminary Report
How can 3D printing be used within your field of study?
The overall theme of this course is for each individual student to answer
the question, “How can 3D printing be used within my own field of
study?” For each reading assignment, design assignment, and printing
assignment that we complete, you should keep this question in mind and
use it to guide your efforts. Throughout the semester, you should be
investigating this question and searching for answers.
For your preliminary report, submit a list of ideas that you have come
up with and would like to explore in more detail. This does not have
to be a complete list, and you do not ultimately have to explore
everything on your list. This is just meant to provide you with a
brainstorming opportunity and provide evidence that you are seeking
answers to the above question.
Throughout the semester, you should:
 Search for articles/ideas related to 3D printing and your major.
 Discuss 3D printing with your professors and fellow students. Here
are some ideas for discussion points, but please don’t limit yourself
to just these:
o How can 3D printing be used within my field of study?
o Are your professors interested in using 3D printing?
o Are there 3D objects that you can print for your professors that
they can use as visual aids in class (course-specific educational
manipulatives: various objects that students can touch and
move around in order to help them learn concepts)?
o Are there course-specific 3D printing lab assignments that you
can help your professors create and that they can assign to their
students, encouraging these students to use 3D printing
technology?
o Are there objects that can be printed (or scanned and printed)
that are related to or that can assist with the professors’
research?
At the end of the semester, you will complete each of the following:
 Write a summary report (1-3 pages) summarizing your findings,
 Submit a 3D digital portfolio (the computer files for the designs you
have created throughout the semester,)
 Present a 3D printed portfolio to the class (you will be able to keep
these for yourself,) and
 Give a short presentation (5-7 minutes) to the class, summarizing
how 3D printing can be used within your major field of study.