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3D Printing & Maker Spaces Flashcards

7 cards from real STEM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 3D Printing & Maker Spaces flashcards as text

  1. A maker space manager notices students frequently leave machines unattended mid-print. What is the BEST policy response?

    Answer: Establish a print monitor rotation and post clear unattended-machine rules

    A print monitor rotation keeps someone responsible for the machine while still allowing student independence and learning.

  2. Which open-source parametric CAD tool is commonly recommended for K-12 maker spaces due to its browser-based accessibility?

    Answer: Autodesk Tinkercad

    Tinkercad is a free, browser-based parametric CAD tool from Autodesk designed for beginners and widely used in K-12 settings.

  3. What does 'wall thickness' (or 'perimeter count') control in an FDM slicer?

    Answer: The number of outer shell loops printed before filling the interior

    Wall thickness (perimeter count) sets how many loops of material are printed on the outer surface, directly affecting part strength and surface quality.

  4. An educator integrating maker spaces into science class wants students to test a hypothesis physically. Which approach BEST reflects scientific practice?

    Answer: Have students design variables into their printed prototypes and collect data comparing results

    Designing controlled variables into prototypes and collecting comparative data mirrors authentic scientific inquiry and the engineering design process.

  5. Which post-processing technique is commonly used to smooth the layer lines on FDM-printed ABS parts?

    Answer: Acetone vapor smoothing

    Acetone vapor dissolves the outer surface of ABS, reflowing layer lines into a smooth, glossy finish—a chemical post-processing technique specific to ABS.

  6. Which intellectual property concept is MOST relevant when students download and modify a 3D model from an online repository?

    Answer: Creative Commons licensing

    Most shared 3D models are released under Creative Commons licenses that specify permitted uses (e.g., attribution, non-commercial), which students must understand and respect.

  7. What is a key reason STEM educators use 'rapid prototyping' in project-based learning?

    Answer: To quickly generate physical models for testing and iteration before committing to a final design

    Rapid prototyping lets students quickly materialize ideas, identify flaws, and iterate—embodying engineering design process standards without long manufacturing delays.