Printing the Playground

by: Stephanie Wendt and Jeremy Wendt
edited by: Linda Froschauer

In this chapter, early childhood students design a piece of playground equipment using a 3-D printer. Kindergarten and first-grade students were charged with designing new playground equipment to create a solution to a problem of the school playground needing more equipment. This project engaged students in science and engineering practices as described in the Next Generation Science Standards. The playground project demonstrated that this age group benefited from being part of the process, and that this foundation of critical thinking and problem solving can be built in the early grades to enable advanced processing and knowledge base in the later grades. A materials list, teacher background information, and outcomes are provided. This book selection includes the Table of Contents, Introduction, References, Internet Resources, and Index.

Grade Levels

Early Childhood

Topics

Engineering Physical Science Science and Engineering Practices STEM Technology

Details

Type Book ChapterPub Date 5/17/2016Pages 26Stock # PB413X_17

NSTA Press produces classroom-ready activities, hands-on approaches to inquiry, relevant professional development, the latest scientific education news and research, assessment and standards-based instruction.

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