Iwona Nowak

Nowak’s innovative teaching project, “Print with Purpose: Exploring 3D/2D Printing,” will allow students to explore various types of manufacturing, with a focus on the 3D printing process and its impact on today’s society. After an introduction to Tinkercad, the design software they will use, students will take on a design challenge: creating an interlocking puzzle with pieces of varying sizes. This task emphasizes the importance of precision and accurate measurement in design. Then students will have the opportunity to create a 3D design of their own choosing, applying their newly acquired skills in a creative and independent way. Building on this foundation, students will dive into the world of 3D printing in medicine, specifically in the creation of prosthetic limbs. Students will learn the basics of CAD (Computer-Aided Design), including drawing and dimensioning, and use this knowledge to collaboratively design their own prosthetic finger as they apply engineering concepts to solve real-world problems. The Voya grant will be used to purchase a multicolor 3D printer and a variety of PLA filament in different colors.