Jamie Back

3D printing is being used to support STEM integration, design thinking and more all over the country. Jamie Back explores MakerBot Education's resources.

We are in an exciting time in education, where innovative topics like Design Thinking, Rapid Prototyping, Entrepreneurism, Engineering Design, High Quality Project-Based Learning, and The Future of Work are at the center of discussion. How can we give our students the chance to master content knowledge while integrating these student-centered approaches to education in the classroom?

PBL and CBL are related at the very core, because they both involve active student-centered learning. Whatever the project format, the six criteria outlined in the recently-released Framework for High Quality Project Based Learning (HQPBL) -- Authenticity, Intellectual Challenge and Accomplishment, Public Product, Collaboration, Project Management, and Reflection -- can help teachers create and implement successful student-centered learning projects.

For me, the “Power of Yet” poster has been a powerful strategy. Such a simple reminder to persevere can be the difference between a student who gives up and one who routinely concludes that understanding will come with more effort, questions, or use of additional strategies.

The group work structure and opportunities to practice collaboration may prove to be invaluable for students to learn how to work effectively with others so that they can succeed in the future workforce.

Technical computing software can be a great platform for integrating computer science and computational thinking into a math classroom.

By: Jamie Back. While a makerspace is nice, it takes only some simple classroom supplies to start “making” in math. The process of making concrete objects can lead students to a deeper understanding of abstract concepts.