SIW Level 10 - 3D Modelling

3D 3D MODELLING MODELLING

This book belongs to:

STEM Innovator’s Workbook - Level 10 Copyright © 2026 Author: Erin Goodwin Editors: Asma Mahamedi, Lindsey Own, Natasha Karampela, Hari Mukul Sagar, and Rebecca McDowell ISBN: 978-981-17494-0-7 Published by: SKOOL21 PTE. LTD. 71 Robinson Road, #14-01, 068895, Singapore First Edition published by SKOOL21 PTE LTD - Singapore, 2024 Second Edition published by SKOOL21 LLC - United States, 2026 No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

For permissions or inquiries, please contact: Email: info@skool21.org Website: https://skool21.org Address: 600 California St, #13-021, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States

02

Hello, STEM Innovator!

Welcome to your book!

You are a STEM Innovator.

Innovator. An Innovator is a Designer and an Engineer who uses digital precision to solve the world's most complex challenges!

Meet Your 3D Fabrication Lab. Lab. Inside you have:

The Workspace: Onshape, a professional cloud-based CAD platform to build your ideas in a 3D digital world.

The Creator: The Creality Ender-3 V3 SE, a high-performance 3D printer that turns your digital files into physical objects.

The Material: PLA Filament, the bio-plastic that layers together to form your inventions.

In this book, you will:

Model the Science of Life by 3D printing accurate DNA and Cell models to visualize how biology biology works.

Engineer for Space by designing and testing components for Multistage Rockets.

Design for for Sustainability by creating Water Collectors and Compost Bins to protect our environment mount of water.

Earn Your Rewards!

As you master the art of 3D modeling and hardware calibration, you will earn your Advanced Innovator Stickers.

At the end of this journey, you will receive your Certificate of Innovation of 3D Design to show the world that you are a Master of Modern Engineering!

Let’s design and print the future together!

03

Table of Contents S. NO

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

1

INTRODUCTION TO THE KIT

05

2

LESSON I: INTRODUCTION TO ONSHAPE

06

3

LESSON II: HOLLOW CYLINDER

09

4

LESSON III: SPHERES AND ELLIPSOIDS

12

5

LESSON IV: CURVED PIPE

15

6

LESSON V: INTRODUCTION TO 3D PRINTING

18

7

PROJECT 1: CELL MODELS

21

8

PROJECT 2: HEART MODEL KEYCHAIN

31

9

PROJECT 3: DIGESTIVE SYSTEM PUZZLE

41

10

PROJECT 4: LUNG MODEL

49

11

PROJECT 5: CENTRIFUGE

57

12

PROJECT 6: DNA MODEL

64

13

PROJECT 7: PUNNETT SQUARE SIMULATOR

72

14

PROJECT 8: FOOD CHAIN MODEL

80

15

PROJECT 9: WATER COLLECTOR

89

16

PROJECT 10: CARBON CYCLE COMPOST BIN

97

17

PROJECT 11: WIND ANEMOMETER

105

18

PROJECT 12: HABITAT REHABILITATION

113

19

PROJECT 13: SOUND AMPLIFIER

121

20

PROJECT 14: LEVERS

127

21

PROJECT 15: MULTI-STAGE ROCKETS

134

22

CAPSTONE PROJECT: INNOVATOR’S CHALLENGE

141

23

GLOSSARY

147

24

INNOVATOR STICKER SHEET

149

25

STEM CERTIFICATE

151 04

Introduction to the Kit Meet Your 3D Printer Kit! Utilizing Onshape’s cloud-based parametric modeling, you will master complex assemblies and multi-part studios. This level bridges the gap between digital precision and physical reality, leveraging the high-speed capabilities of the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE to prototype functional solutions for real-world engineering challenges.

KIT COMPONENTS

Filament spool Holds the plastic filament

X and Y axes

Extruder Pushes the filament forward

move left– right (X) and front–back (Y)

Nozzle Melts and deposits the filament

Z axis moves up and down

Print bed The surface where the object prints

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Display Show options

Printing Technology

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)

Maximum Printing Speed

250 mm/s

Printing Accuracy

±0.1 mm

Supported Filaments

PLA, PETG, TPU(95A)

Slicing Software

Creality Print, Cura 5.0 or newer, Simplify3D

05

Lesson I:

YOUR FIRST 3D MODEL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, learners will be able to: Create and verify an Onshape education account Start a sketch on a plane and draw a closed shape Use the Dimension tool to control a sketch Use Extrude to create a 3D object View your model from different angles

VOCABULARY Word

Meaning

Sketch

A 2D drawing made on a flat plane

Extrude

A tool that gives thickness to a 2D sketch

MATERIALS Computer with Internet

WHAT IS ONSHAPE? Onshape is a 3D modelling software we use to design objects for 3D printing and laser cutting. In Onshape:

we first draw a 2D sketch

Then turn it into a 3D model

Then we 3D print it using a 3D Printer

IMPORTANT IDEA

Every 3D model in Onshape starts the same way: Plane

Choose where to draw

Sketch

Draw the shape

Dimension

Control the size

Make it 3D

If the shape is not closed, it cannot become 3D. 06

Extrude

Inspect

Check your work

GETTING STARTED

Create Your Onshape Account 1. Go to:

https://www.onshape.com/en/education/sign-up

2. Create a free education account.

3. Verify your email and log in to Onshape.

Create a New Document 1. Click Create Document.

→

2. Name your document: Lesson 1 – Box. You are now ready to make your first model.

Plane (Choose where to draw) 1. Click Sketch.

2. Select the Front Plane.

3. Press N to look at the sketch straight on You cannot draw in empty space.

A plane is your drawing surface.

Sketch (Draw the shape) 1. Select the Rectangle tool.

2. Draw a rectangle on the plane.

Look carefully.

The inside turns blue. This means the shape is closed and can become 3D..

This means the shape is closed.

Dimension (Control the size) Press D for Dimension.

Click the bottom line type 40 mm Enter.

Click a side line type 30 mm Enter.

→

→

→

→

The lines turn black. Black lines mean your sketch is fully defined and cannot move by accident.

07

Confirm the Sketch Click the green checkmark.

You have finished a proper sketch.

Extrude (Make it 3D) Only fully defined (black) sketches should be turned into 3D objects.

1. Click Extrude.

2. Select the rectangle.

3. Set depth to 10 mm.

4. Click the green checkmark.

Inspect (Check your work) Check that the box looks correct from all sides before printing Rotate the model with your mouse.

Use the orientation cube in the top right.

Look at the Top, Front, and Right views.

TRY IT YOURSELF

Change the size of your box: Make the length 60 mm. What changes? What stays the same?

Make the height 50 mm. What changes? What stays the same?

Make the depth 20 mm. What changes? What stays the same?

08

Project 1:

CELL MODELS Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

OBJECTIVES At the end of this activity, the learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the following:

Next Generation Science Standards Structure and Function HS-LS1-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of plant cells (including chloroplasts and cell walls) allows them to carry out photosynthesis.

Cambridge Science Cell Structure 2.1.1. Describe and compare the structure of a plant cell with an animal cell, limited to: cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, ribosomes, mitochondria, vacuoles.

1Ps.02 Explore ISTE that Standard as sound travels from a source it becomes quieter

1.1.c Empowered Learner Students use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrate learning.

1.3.d Knowledge Constructor Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories, and pursuing answers and solutions.

1.4.d Innovative Designer Students develop, test, and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.

Common Core Mathematics Seeing Structure in Expressions HSA.SSE Interpret the structure of expressions. Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems.

Cambridge Math Number: Types of Numbers C1.1 Identify and use natural numbers.

C1.2 Understand sets.

STEM Careers Connection

This project includes tasks that reflect the work of professionals in the following careers: Cell biologist

CAD designer

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Project 1:

CELL MODELS INTRODUCTION Plant and animal cells have different parts that help them do different jobs. In this project, you will use Onshape to build 3D models of both cells. By comparing their structures, you will understand how each part supports the cell’s function.

Accessible Education for Every Learner

Designing Cells You Can Touch

Building Science, Building Belonging

Nucleus

Cell Membrane Endoplasmic Reticulum

Nucleolus

Mitochondrion

Lysosome

Animal Cell Diagram

Over 250 million people globally live with visual impairment

Cell Membrane

Nucleus

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Nucleolus

Mitochondrion

Vacuole

Plant Cell Diagram

DEFINE THE PROBLEM A visually impaired student needs a better way to learn plant and animal cell structures, but flat images are hard to understand.

You will be engineers!

You will design 3D cell models that can be explored by touch to make learning clear and inclusive.

30 22

For visually impaired learners, touch replaces sight, making STEM truly accessible.

MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS Goals

Rules

Your cell models should: Display the cell wall and cell membrane.

Include key structures such as the Nucleus and Vacuole.

Your cell models must: Fit in a 2” cube.

Have connected geometries with no overhang.

MATERIALS Computer

3D Printer

PLA filament

Cura Software

Safety: The nozzle and bed are hot. Do not touch them. Tie back hair and avoid loose sleeves.

VOCABULARY Review the words and their meanings.

Word

Meaning

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that holds the cell's DNA

Vacuole

A membrane-bound storage sac in a cell

Vacuole

A membrane-bound storage sac in a cell

Vacuole

A membrane-bound storage sac in a cell

GETTING STARTED

Create a New Document 1. Click Create Document.

→

2. Name your document: Project 1: Plant and Animal Cell Models

30 23

BUILD THE MODEL Step 1. Insert an image of the cell model into a separate sketch for reference. You can hide and unhide this sketch as needed for better visibility.

Step 2.

Create a new sketch on a plane and draw the outline of the cell body using the "Spline" tool.

Step 3.

Extrude the base of the cell.

24

Step 4. Create a new sketch on the face of the cell and draw the internal parts.

Note that rounded components are drawn as half a curve or half a circle because “Revolve” tool will be used to model them.

Step 5. Create an offset plane above the top plane to sketch the nucleus.

Draw a halfcircle and a straight line to serve as the axis for the revolve operation.

25

Step 6. Use the "Revolve" tool to form the Nucleus. Select the half-circle as the profile and the straight line as the axis.

Step 7. Draw the remaining organelles as shown in the sample solution. Use the "Transform" tool to copy and position repetitive shapes in their required locations.

YOUR

THIS IS WHERE YOU USE YOUR OWN THINKING!

CHALLENGE

To plan the animal cell diagram, complete the table below to highlight the‌ differences between animal and plant cells: Feature

Plant Cell

Animal Cell

Cell Wall Energy Source Nucleus Placement Number of vacuoles

Now, apply your modeling knowledge from Part 1 to create a model of the‌ animal cell next to your plant cell model.

AI Connection: Many AI models can provide basic Onshape instructions. Consider using AI to assist in designing your animal cell model with properly scaled components relative to your plant cell model.

26

TEST Go back to the 'Measure Your Success' section and check the boxes. Does your project meet all the criteria and constraints?

Yes No

SHARE AND IMPROVE Take turns presenting solutions with another team. Record the feedback you receive.

Partner Feedback

Plant Cell

Animal Cell

Design Strengths

Suggested Improvements

MATH AND SCIENCE CONNECTION A student is creating 3D CAD models of a plant cell and an animal cell for their biology project. They want to compare the surface area to volume ratio of the two models.

The plant cell model is a cube with a side length l= 8 centimeters, and the animal cell model is a sphere with a radius r= 6 centimeters.

1. Write expressions to calculate the surface area (SA) and volume (V) of each cell model.

Plant Cell Animal Cell

Surface Area

Volume

27

2. Calculate the surface area and volume of both models.

Plant Cell

Animal Cell

Surface Area

Volume

3. Determine the surface area to volume ratio for each cell model.

4. Compare the surface area to volume ratios of the plant and animal cell models. What can the student conclude about the relative proportions of surface area to volume for the two types of cells?

5. Given the following sets: {r, SA}, { l, r}, { SA, V} a. Which set contains only natural numbers? b. Which set contains no natural numbers?

28

REFLECT SUSTAINABILITY IN FOCUS Quality Education (SDG 4) aims to ensure that all learners have access to effective, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences that build real understanding. This includes:

Improving learning

Strengthening scientific understanding

Supporting modern and interactive classrooms

1. How does an eclipse model help your school? Circle the correct answer.

Teaches space science

It makes toys bigger.

It makes rain fall faster.

FEEDBACK Complete the following sentence and practice saying to your friends: 1. I built a Show your project to 3 friends and collect stickers!

29

Try modeling and printing the solution yourself. If you have trouble, refer to the images below for guidance.

SAMPLE SOLUTION The model represents a cell with lysosomes, mitochondria, and other organelles.

Plant cell model

Animal cell model

30

Project 2:

HEART MODEL KEYCHAIN Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

OBJECTIVES At the end of this activity, the learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the following:

Next Generation Science Standards From Molecules to Organisms HS-LS1-2. Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms.

Cambridge Science Circulatory Systems 9.1 Describe the circulatory system as a system of blood vessels with a pump and valves to ensure one-way flow of blood.

ISTE Standard 1.4.c Prototypes Students develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.

1.4.d Innovative Designer Students develop, test, and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.

1.5.b Computational Thinker Students collect data or identify solutions using computational thinking processes.

Common Core Mathematics Seeing Structure in Expressions HSA.SSE A. Interpret the structure of expressions.

B. Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems.

Cambridge Math The Four Operations C1.6 The four operations (fractions, decimals, percentages).

STEM Careers Connection

This project includes tasks that reflect the work of professionals in the following careers: Medical professional

Bioengineer

31

Project 2 :

Heart Model Keychain INTRODUCTION The heart is part of the circulatory system, pumping blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. It works with Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries to transport blood efficiently, ensuring cells get what they need.

The right side pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs for oxygenation, while the left side sends oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, delivering nutrients and removing waste.

Doctors use heart models to explain procedures like coronary bypass surgery, which creates a new route for blood when arteries are blocked—These blockages are often caused by plaque buildup from high cholesterol, smoking, and poor diet choices, including too much fat, salt, and sugar. Physical models help patients understand the risks and benefits, supporting informed decisions.

A Global Heart Issue

Designing & Printing the Heart

Know Your Heart, Protect Your Health

17.9 million people die each year from cardiovascular diseases. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and high cholesterol are major risk factors.

(Source: WHO, 2023)

Source: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)

Poor diet, lack of exercise, and high cholesterol contribute to blocked arteries.

The heart is part of the circulatory system — a series of blood vessels, a pump, and valves that ensure oneway blood flow.

Understanding this structure helps in designing accurate 3D models that reflect real heart function.

Easy to carry on a bag or keys as a daily visual health reminder.

Helps patients and students visualize heart anatomy.

Strengthens motivation to maintain heart-friendly habits.

This heart keychain isn’t just a model —it’s a symbol of self-care and awareness. By keeping the heart close, patients are reminded of the small daily choices that protect their real one.

Heart models also assist bioengineers in studying heart structure to develop organoids—lab-grown (put it in one line because it is one word) heart tissues from stem cells. A small heart model on a keychain can serve as a daily reminder to eat healthily and exercise for heart health.

32

DEFINE THE PROBLEM A doctor wants to create a keychain model of the human heart to give to her patients as a reminder to eat healthily and exercise. Can you help?

MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS

Criteria Your heart model should: Accurately represent major structures, including the atria, ventricles, and Aorta.

Include key features such as arteries, veins, and valves.

Constraints Your heart model must: Fit in a 4" x 3" x 0.3" cuboid.

Have connected geometries with no overhang.

VOCABULARY Review the following vocabulary terms and definitions that you will encounter throughout this challenge.

Term

Meaning

Aorta

The major blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart.

DXF

A 2D vector file commonly used in CAD.

Transform

A tool used to scale, rotate, and move a sketch.

33

GETTING STARTED Step 1. Log in to your Onshape account.

Step 2. Click Create -> Document Step 3. Name the file ”Project 2: Heart Model Keychain”.

BUILD THE MODEL Step 4. Click on the “Top” plane until it turns yellow, then select “Sketch” in the upper left corner to create a new sketch on that plane.

Step 5. Import the DXF file for the anatomical heart outline by searching for “Insert DXF or DWG”.

Then, Click "Import", upload the Heart_outline.dxf file. Click the file, then select it and click the green checkmark to add it to the sketch.

34

Step 6. Zoom out using a two-finger scroll to view the full outline.

Step 7. Extrude the heart outline to a 12.5" thickness. This will be adjusted when scaling.

Step 8. Use the "Transform" tool to scale the heart down to 0.02x. If the Transform tool is not visible in the toolbar, search for it using "Search tools..." in the top right corner.

35

Step 9. Apply another Transform to move the heart to the origin using the “Translate by XYZ” arrows.

Step 10. Create a new sketch on the top plane and draw a 4” by 3” ellipse around the heart design. Use the Dimension tool to set the size by selecting the ellipse's right and top edges.

Step 11. Extrude the ellipse to a 0.3” thickness, ensuring it makes connects with the heart design. This ensure the 3D print will be a single piece.

When ready to print, export the model as an STL file.

36

YOUR

THIS IS WHERE YOU USE YOUR OWN THINKING!

CHALLENGE

Create a hole through the aorta loops for a keychain ring. Check your‌ keychain from multiple angles to ensure it turned out as intended.

37

TEST Go back to the 'Measure Your Success' section and check the boxes. Does your project meet all the criteria and constraints?

Yes No

SHARE AND IMPROVE Take turns presenting solutions with another team. Record the feedback you receive.

Partner Feedback Design Strengths

Suggested Improvements

MATH AND SCIENCE CONNECTION 1. Biomedical engineers want to create a table of model scale values for different heart model sizes. Help them fill in the values using fractions, decimals, and percentages.

Fraction

Decimal

Percent

Cava diameter

Elliptical major axis

Elliptical minor axis

100

1

5

2

1 5 0.25 0.1 4

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2. The volume in the left and right heart chambers increases by approximately 10% during diastole, when the chambers fill with blood, in the heartbeat cycle. The 2 volume of an ellipsoid can be found with using equation: V = πab ,where a is the major axis and b is the minor axis, assuming the ellipsoid is symmetric. a. Find the new volume of the ellipsoids with a 10% increase.

b. If the major axis (a) remains constant, solve for the minor axis (b) that will yield the new volume.

REFLECT SUSTAINABILITY IN FOCUS Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3) aims to make sure people can live healthy lives and understand how to take care of their bodies, both physically and mentally. This includes:

Raising awareness of heart health

Supporting health education in a simple way

FEEDBACK

Show your project to 3 friends and collect stickers!

39

Encouraging healthy habits in everyday life

Try modeling and printing the solution yourself. If you have trouble, refer to the image below for guidance.

SAMPLE SOLUTION The heart model keychain displays the anatomical features of a heart and includes a hole for a keyring.

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I can Build. I can Code. I can Share. I am an Innovator!

Who successfully completed the STEM Innovator's Challenge Level 10 - 3D Modelling & Printing.

This award is proudly presented to:

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