Ben Miller, a sixth-grade geography teacher and trained technology educator in Union City, MI, is finding new ways to bring STEM learning into the classroom. While teaching a core subject, he looks for opportunities to incorporate technology into projects and lessons so students can see how technology connects to creativity and real-world skills.
Ben’s interest in 3D printing began in 2022 while camping in Holland, Michigan. During that trip, he discovered Mike Harmon, a longtime STEM teacher known on YouTube as HL ModTech. Harmon has a unique tradition of leaving small 3D-printed “treasures” along hiking trails for visitors to find. After later running into Mike, he introduced Ben to the free 3D design platform Tinkercad.
The inspiration resurfaced a few years later when Ben’s school announced a new daily enrichment block for students. He quickly proposed a course focused on 3D modeling, originally planning to teach students how to design digital models in Tinkercad.
After applying for an RTF grant, the course expanded in a big way. With grant funding, the classroom added a Creality Hi Combo 3D printer, giving students the ability to turn their digital designs into physical objects.
The class quickly became one of three STEM-focused enrichment courses offered at the school. During the first trimester, students focused on learning Tinkercad while completing hands-on projects like backpack tags, bookmarks, battle tops, and flexible designs such as pumpkins and hearts. One highlight was creating articulated prints, which are objects that bend or move directly off the printer.
Students also help shape the course’s direction. Each trimester, they suggest projects they would like to try, and several of their ideas have already been incorporated into classroom activities. Ben has also been surprised to discover that many students already have 3D printers at home, though not all know how to use them yet.
The printer has also become a creative way to engage the entire school community. Earlier this year, Ben printed 1,000 small red hearts and asked teachers to hide them throughout the building. Over two days, students found nearly 700 hearts, with the winning class earning a Valentine’s Day treat. Next up is a building-wide Tetris challenge, where hundreds of 3D printed pieces will be hidden throughout the school and added to a large game board in the office.
For educators interested in bringing more STEM technology into their classrooms, Ben offers simple advice: start small. Building confidence with one technology at a time can help create meaningful learning experiences that show students how the skills they are learning can be used in the future. He shared, “If educators have a desire to build lessons around STEM technology, they can also try to connect careers into their lessons and show students how this technology can be used in industry, careers, and hobbies. This will show the students that there is a reason for the lesson and technology and demonstrate why they are learning the STEM skills and how they can use them in the future!”
Looking ahead, Ben’s class will expand into larger projects that introduce students to the engineering design process, giving them the opportunity to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and develop prototypes using their design and printing skills.
We are so grateful to Ben and his meaningful work with students!
Stay up to date with our quarterly newsletter here!
