Cross curricular custom measuring tool – SCOPES-DF
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Lesson Details

Subjects*
Design
Age Ranges*
11-14,
Fab Tools*
3D Printer,
Author
Catherine Jack

Author

Catherine Jack
K-12 teacher

Summary

I used this project with my Year 8 class to create a custom measuring tool for a recipe.

This is a remix of a lesson available on TinkerCAD – Make Your Own Measuring Tool

 

My emphasis in this project is on encouraging students to cook for their families and build their skills at home, while designing something that has a practical real-life use. In adapting the TinkerCAD Make Your Own Measuring Tool lesson, I introduced a cross-curricular collaboration with the Food department, creating a practical, hands-on experience that extended the project beyond the digital design aspect.

 

What You'll Need

3D printer

TinkerCAD

The Instructions

Design and Research

Design and Research

Step 1: Starter Discussion

  • Prompt: “Who cooks at home? What can you make? Does anyone in your family have a favorite recipe?”
  • If there’s a class consensus on a favorite recipe, use it. If not, proceed with pancakes.

 

Step 2: Research on Measuring Tools

  • Task: Research custom measuring tools online.
  • Output: Create a page of research in OneNote, including designs and functions of custom measuring tools.

 

Step 3: Introduce the Recipe

  • Recipe: Use “Basic Pancakes Recipe” from taste.com.au.
  • Goal: Identify all measurements in the recipe and determine which measurements can be combined into a single tool.

 

Step 4: Initial Design Brainstorming

  • Activity: Break down the recipe into core measurements. Determine how many and what type of measuring tools are needed.
  • Class Example: Suggest a double-ended spoon for “1 cup” and “1/2 cup” or “1 teaspoon” and “1/4 teaspoon.”

 

Cooking

Cross-curricular collaboration with food. Spend one lesson making simple pancake recipe.

Step 5: Measuring Practice in the Cooking Room

  • Activity: Make pancakes using standard measuring tools.
  • Observation: Familiarize students with measurements like teaspoon, tablespoon, cup, etc.

 

Understanding volume

How to calculate volume

Step 6: Lesson on Volume

  • Concept: Introduce volume measurement (e.g., 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1 teaspoon).
  • Worksheet: Complete questions on calculating the volume of different measurements using online tools like Omni Calculator.

 

Sketching ideas

Sketching and dimensions

Step 7: Drawing Custom Tool Ideas

  • Task: Students sketch their custom measuring tool ideas based on the recipe measurements.

 

TinkerCAD

TinkerCAD for 3D modelling

Step 8: Introduction to TinkerCAD

  • Activity: Learn the basics of TinkerCAD, especially creating hollow shapes with precise wall thickness for measurement accuracy.

Step 9: Create the Tool in TinkerCAD

  • Task: Design the custom measuring tool using TinkerCAD.
  • Guidance: Help with setting dimensions and creating functional, aesthetic designs.

Step 10: Export and Share STL File

  • Activity: Export the final design as an STL file and share it with the teacher for review or printing.

 

Cooking

Cross-curricular collaboration with food. Spend one lesson making simple pancake recipe - now with custom tools.

Step 11: Test the Tools in the Cooking Room

  • Activity: Use the custom-designed tools to measure ingredients for pancakes and see if the volumes match.

 

Reflection and evaluation

Reflection and evaluation

Step 12: Reflection and Evaluation

  • Task: Reflect on the tool’s success, considering how it helped, its effectiveness, and any improvements for future designs.

 

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