Experiential Learning in the Classroom: 3D Printing
Luciano Cautilli, Class of 2028, takes his science project to the next level!
Middle School student Luciano Cautilli, Class of 2028, showcases the 3D printed pieces he created for Ms. Shick’s middle school science unit covering motion and forces. Ms. Shick’s goal was for her students to showcase understanding of the motion and forces unit through different mediums and household objects. Students in her class were tasked with choosing multiple projects to create at home to fulfill a certain point limit determined by Ms. Shick. “Being able to implement experiential learning both in and outside the classroom helps the students connect and have bigger ‘aha’ moments to what we talk about in class and to see the reality of these scientific concepts and bring them to life,’ Ms. Shick said regarding the importance of bringing experiential opportunities to her students.
Two of the listed projects included in the rubric were to create a sled for a hypothetical Cooper slope to race down and Newton’s cradle. Luciano took this project to the next level and incorporated his passion and hobby of 3D printing. Using a program called Autodesk Fusion, Luciano drafted models of the sled and Newton’s cradle to print on his 3D printer. The balls on his creation of Newton’s Cradle were also created using the 3D printer with denser material to accurately showcase Newton’s 3rd law of motion! When asked about why Luciano enjoyed this project, he said “[this project] allows me to be very creative and Cooper allows me to pursue my passions in a different way… it gives different perspectives and gives opportunities to students to explore what they may want to do, like pursuing a major in engineering or kickstarting there career.”
At The John Cooper School, one of our strategic goals is to deepen our commitment to academic excellence, scholarship, and transformational learning while cultivating innovative practices that prepare students for a constantly changing world. The School is committed to bringing these outside transformational experiences to life in the classroom for our students so they are prepared for their future, whether in college or in their future career.
The John Cooper School
From Curiosity to Wisdom
The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
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