3D Printer for Schools: How One Educator Runs a Hands-On Monuments Project

Choosing the right 3D printer for schools means finding one built for speed, safety, and daily classroom use. Educator Keven Rinaman put the MakerBot Sketch Sprint to the test with a five-day monuments project at Calvert Catholic Schools. His students researched Washington D.C. landmarks, collaborated in teams, and printed their own scale models. The results speak for themselves: 33% faster prints, zero safety incidents, and more time for students to iterate on their designs.

A Class Trip Becomes a Classroom 3D Printing Project

Rinaman's students use their D.C. trip itinerary as a virtual roadmap. They explore the city's historical and cultural landmarks, then select their top three monuments of interest. Each student picks one of four roles:

• Architect designs a 3D model of the monument in Tinkercad

• Researcher gathers facts and historical context

• Producer creates the presentation (slideshow, video, or report)

• Influencer presents the group's work to peers and administration

The project runs across five days. Two days for virtual exploration, two for group collaboration, and one for presentations. It blends research, creativity, and real-world application into a single structured activity.

Rinaman published the full lesson framework on Thingiverse for educators looking to adapt it for their own classrooms.

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Why the Sketch Sprint Changed the Workflow

Any 3D printer for schools needs to keep pace with tight schedules. In past years, Rinaman relied on the MakerBot Replicator 5th Gen and Replicator+. Those printers served the classroom well, but time was always tight. He recalls sprinting into school at midnight to grab a final print before an early-morning trip departure.

"This year, switching to the MakerBot Sketch Sprint changed everything," Rinaman writes.

Print time dropped by approximately 33%. Projects taking three hours on the older machines now finish in two, with identical infill, shell, and layer settings. In a school setting where class periods run 45 to 50 minutes, those savings add up fast. Students fit an extra design iteration into the same lesson block.

Reliability improved alongside speed. The enclosed print chamber and heated bed cut failed prints significantly. For a busy classroom full of curious hands, the enclosed design also removes the risk of contact with hot components during operation.

"The enclosure provides peace of mind, allowing hands-on learning to flourish without risk," Rinaman notes.

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Beyond the Monuments: Shrek Ears and COVID Face Shields

The D.C. project is one example of what a 3D printer for schools makes possible, but Rinaman's students use theirs across subjects and extracurricular activities.

When the school's theatre department staged Shrek the Musical, his class designed and printed Shrek ear headbands as audience souvenirs. The headbands raised funds for the performing arts programme while giving younger students a tangible connection to the show.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the school joined other institutions and local businesses to print and donate face shields to nearby medical facilities. This effort showed how a 3D printer for schools extends well beyond the standard curriculum into genuine community impact.

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How to Choose a 3D Printer for Schools

Not every 3D printer works well in a school. When choosing a 3D printer for schools, Rinaman's experience points to four priorities:

• Safety. An enclosed print chamber keeps hot parts out of reach. This is a must for primary and secondary schools.

• Speed. Short class periods need fast output. A printer finishing in two hours instead of three gives students time to iterate and reprint the same day.

• Reliability. Failed prints waste material, waste time, and frustrate students. Heated beds and enclosed chambers cut failure rates.

• Ease of use. Students and teachers run the printer, not technicians. Simple setup, cloud-based slicing through MakerBot CloudPrint, and minimal calibration keep the focus on learning.

Australian schools aligning 3D printing in the classroom with Design and Technologies outcomes should pick a printer letting students go from digital design to physical prototype in a single lesson block. The Sketch Sprint fits this cycle.

For schools exploring 3D printers in schools for the first time, the MakerBot Sketch Sprint Bundle delivers the speed and safety educators need.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best 3D printer for schools?

The best 3D printer for schools balances safety, speed, and ease of use. The MakerBot Sketch Sprint has an enclosed print chamber, a heated bed, and print speeds roughly 33% faster than older MakerBot education models. These features make it a strong fit for primary and secondary schools where class time is short and supervision varies.

How fast does the MakerBot Sketch Sprint print?

The Sketch Sprint prints approximately 33% faster than the MakerBot Replicator+ using identical infill, shell, and layer settings. A project taking three hours on older hardware finishes in roughly two hours on the Sketch Sprint.

Is 3D printing safe for primary school classrooms?

Yes, with the right 3D printer for schools. Printers with enclosed chambers stop students from touching hot parts during a print. The enclosed design also keeps the print environment stable, cutting failed prints and reducing the need for teacher intervention.

What projects do students complete with a 3D printer?

Students use 3D printers in schools for scale models of historical landmarks, custom props for school productions, engineering prototypes, and community service projects like printing face shields during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key is connecting each print to a learning outcome: research, design thinking, teamwork, or problem-solving.

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Looking for the right 3D printer for schools? See how other educators use 3D printing. Read about how Si Se Puede Foundation built a STEM centre with MakerBot printers.

Want to view the entire range of MakerBot products? Click here.

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3D Printer for Schools Classroom Printing Education MakerBot Sketch Sprint Primary Education Printing STEM Education