STEM 3D Printing & Maker Spaces 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student's first layer is not adhering to the print bed. Which is the FIRST corrective action an educator should suggest?
- Increase print speed
- Level the print bed and adjust nozzle Z-offset (Correct answer)
- Switch to a different filament brand
- Reduce infill density
Correct answer: Level the print bed and adjust nozzle Z-offset
Poor first-layer adhesion is most commonly caused by an incorrectly leveled bed or improper Z-offset, which must be corrected before other adjustments.
Question 2: In the context of maker spaces, which design thinking phase occurs immediately BEFORE prototyping?
- Empathize
- Define
- Ideate (Correct answer)
- Test
Correct answer: Ideate
In Stanford's design thinking model, the Ideate phase (generating solutions) directly precedes the Prototype phase.
Question 3: Which file format is universally required to send a 3D model to slicing software for FDM printing?
- .SVG
- .STL (Correct answer)
- .DXF
Correct answer: .STL
The STL (Standard Tessellation Language) file format is the industry standard for transferring 3D models to slicers for 3D printing.
Question 4: A teacher wants to integrate 3D printing with mathematics. Which project BEST reinforces geometric volume concepts?
- Printing a school logo keychain
- Designing and printing containers of specified volumes and comparing calculated vs. measured capacity (Correct answer)
- Printing a phone stand
- Reproducing a historical artifact
Correct answer: Designing and printing containers of specified volumes and comparing calculated vs. measured capacity
Designing containers to a target volume directly applies volume formulas and connects mathematical calculation to physical, measurable results.
Question 5: What is the primary advantage of using supports in 3D printing?
- They increase print speed
- They allow printing of overhanging features that would otherwise droop or fail (Correct answer)
- They reduce material usage
- They improve surface finish on top layers
Correct answer: They allow printing of overhanging features that would otherwise droop or fail
Support structures hold up overhanging geometry (typically anything over ~45° from vertical) during printing so it doesn't collapse before the layer below solidifies.
Question 6: Which equity consideration is most important when establishing a school maker space?
- Purchasing only the most advanced equipment
- Ensuring all students have scheduled access time and appropriate scaffolding regardless of prior experience (Correct answer)
- Limiting access to students in advanced STEM tracks
- Requiring students to purchase their own materials
Correct answer: Ensuring all students have scheduled access time and appropriate scaffolding regardless of prior experience
Equitable maker spaces ensure all students—regardless of background or prior skills—have meaningful access and support, not just high-achievers.
Question 7: In SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) printing, what material is most commonly used?
- Liquid photopolymer resin
- Nylon powder (Correct answer)
- PLA filament
- Wax
Correct answer: Nylon powder
SLS uses a laser to fuse nylon (polyamide) powder particles together layer by layer, producing strong, functional parts without supports.
STEM 3D Printing & Maker Spaces 3
A student's first layer is not adhering to the print bed.
Which is the FIRST corrective action an educator should suggest?