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3D printing and design

Kids will explore the exciting world of 3D creation, learning how ideas turn into real objects. They’ll get a sneak peek into design fundamentals, including shapes, parts, and tools, and understand principles of industrial design to create functional and imaginative models. Students will also learn how to prepare their designs for printing, CAD,slice models, and operate a 3D printer. Along the way, they’ll develop creativity, spatial reasoning, problem-solving skills, and a hands-on understanding of how modern products are designed and made

Best Value

STEM Education Pack: 5 Sessions

$99

99

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Pick your STEM adventure — 5 weeks, zero commitment.

Valid until canceled

Best Value

Arena STEM Basic Membership

$169

169

Every month

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Most popular membership option: Weekly STEM Program + Access to Arena play time + Innovation Studio.

Valid until canceled

Best Value

Arena STEM Unlimited Membership

$239

239

Every month

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Unlimited membership option: Multiple weekly STEM Programs + Unlimited Arena play time + many other perks.

Valid until canceled

Choose your pricing plan

* For more information about packages and membership please visit our Pricing page

Course outline

Class name
Class Description
Class objectives
Key takeaways
3D modeling and CAD software. Introducing TinkerCAD
In this class, students take their first steps into digital 3D design using TinkerCAD, an easy-to-use web-based modeling tool. Kids learn how shapes on a screen become real objects that can be 3D printed. By creating simple designs with basic shapes, students discover how designers use software to plan, build, and improve objects before they are printed.
Understand what 3D modeling and CAD software are Learn how digital designs are used to prepare objects for 3D printing Get familiar with the TinkerCAD workspace and basic navigation Use basic shapes to build a simple 3D model Learn how objects are resized, moved, and combined Practice saving and modifying their designs Connect digital models to real-world 3D printing
Design on a screen: 3D models are created digitally before printing Shapes are building blocks: Complex objects are made from simple shapes CAD tools: Software helps designers plan and fix mistakes easily Digital to physical: What you design can be 3D printed Try, test, improve: Designs can be changed anytime Creativity + Technology: Computers help turn ideas into real objects
Industrial Design Basics – Designing for Real Use
In this class, students learn what industrial designers do and how everyday objects are designed to be useful, safe, and comfortable. Kids explore how shape, size, and strength affect how an object works in real life. Using 3D pens, students design and build simple, functional objects—like hooks, holders, or stands—learning that good design is not just about how something looks, but how well it works.
"Understand what industrial design is and how it helps people Learn the difference between decoration and functional design Explore how objects are designed for holding, carrying, standing, or supporting weight Identify basic design needs such as strength, balance, and usability Plan a simple object meant for real use Build a functional prototype using a 3D pen Test and improve their design"
"Design solves problems: Objects are made to help people do things Function first: Good design works well before it looks fancy Real-world thinking: Designers think about users and situations Prototypes matter: First versions help us test ideas Strength & structure: Some shapes are stronger than others Iteration: Testing and improving makes designs better"
Modeling for 3D Printing – Ready-to-Print Designs
In this class, students take their first steps into digital 3D design using TinkerCAD, an easy-to-use web-based modeling tool. Kids learn how shapes on a screen become real objects that can be 3D printed. By creating simple designs with basic shapes, students discover how designers use software to plan, build, and improve objects before they are printed.
"Understand what 3D modeling and CAD software are Learn how digital designs are used to prepare objects for 3D printing Get familiar with the TinkerCAD workspace and basic navigation Use basic shapes to build a simple 3D model Learn how objects are resized, moved, and combined Practice saving and modifying their designs Connect digital models to real-world 3D printing"
"Design on a screen: 3D models are created digitally before printing Shapes are building blocks: Complex objects are made from simple shapes CAD tools: Software helps designers plan and fix mistakes easily Digital to physical: What you design can be 3D printed Try, test, improve: Designs can be changed anytime Creativity + Technology: Computers help turn ideas into real objects"
Getting Started With 3D Design – Shapes, Parts & Tools
In this class, students learn what industrial designers do and how everyday objects are designed to be useful, safe, and comfortable. Kids explore how shape, size, and strength affect how an object works in real life. Using 3D pens, students design and build simple, functional objects—like hooks, holders, or stands—learning that good design is not just about how something looks, but how well it works.
"Understand what industrial design is and how it helps people Learn the difference between decoration and functional design Explore how objects are designed for holding, carrying, standing, or supporting weight Identify basic design needs such as strength, balance, and usability Plan a simple object meant for real use Build a functional prototype using a 3D pen Test and improve their design"
"Design solves problems: Objects are made to help people do things Function first: Good design works well before it looks fancy Real-world thinking: Designers think about users and situations Prototypes matter: First versions help us test ideas Strength & structure: Some shapes are stronger than others Iteration: Testing and improving makes designs better"
Introduction to 3D Printing – How Things Are Made
In this introductory class, students discover how everyday objects are designed and made using 3D printing. Kids learn what 3D printing is, how digital ideas become real objects, and how printers build items layer by layer. Using 3D pens, students experience this process hands-on by “printing” their own simple 3D creations, helping them understand design, structures, and creativity in a fun and safe way.
"Understand what 3D printing is and how it works Learn how objects go from ideas to designs and then to real products Discover how 3D printers build objects layer by layer Explore basic design concepts such as shape, size, and structure Use 3D pens to safely create simple 3D objects Develop creativity, confidence, and fine motor skills Practice patience and problem-solving while building their designs"
"How things are made: Objects can be designed on a computer and printed in 3D Layered building: 3D printing creates objects one layer at a time Design thinking: Every object starts as an idea and a plan Hands-on creation: 3D pens work like mini 3D printers Creativity & STEM: Art, engineering, and technology work together Real-world connection: 3D printing is used in toys, tools, medicine, and space"
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