3D Printing

Design and print 3D objects.

Print nameplates, chess pieces, natureinspired models, scanned objects, and small structures.

Set up, adjust, operate, and maintain 3D printers, and prepare model files.

This course is perfect for students who want to understand the technology behind modern 3D printers and explore turning their ideas into solid objects. Class activities blend clear demonstrations with guided practice, giving students a solid introduction to the full printing pipeline from preparing files to running successful prints.

Students learn how their printers operate, how to set them up and maintain them, and how to prepare model files using beginner-friendly design software. They experiment with slicing settings, explore basic modeling tools, and try out multiple themed design challenges such as creating nameplates, custom chess pieces, nature-inspired models, scanned objects, and even small structures. In addition to completing several prints, they also gain confidence in troubleshooting, file preparation, and fine-tuning printer settings to match the characteristics of their models. Fairfax Collegiate provides a class set of 3D printers for students to use and provides each student with a laptop.

By the end of the course, students take home 6-8 printed objects they created or customized and will retain access to their digital designs. They leave ready to explore 3D printing independently, try more advanced modeling tools, or apply their new technical skills to other areas of STEM and technology.