Thursday, April 17, 2025
Fifth-grade students in the Challenge Program at Valley Stream District 24 recently harnessed the power of 3D printing to design and create intricate snowflakes. After mastering this cutting-edge technology, they took on the role of educators, teaching Kindergarten students how to bring their own snowflake designs to life. This innovative, cross-grade collaboration immersed students in hands-on engineering and 21st-century digital fabrication, reinforcing creativity, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
“Our students were so excited to master 3D printing and share this intriguing technology with their Kindergarten peers,” said Superintendent Unal Karakas. “This project exemplifies the incorporation of technology, collaboration, and immersive learning we prioritize in Valley Stream 24 as part of our Vision 2030 initiative.”
Fifth-grade students utilized Tinkercad, a user-friendly 3D design platform, to conceptualize and refine their snowflakes before sending them to print. The activity enhanced spatial reasoning as students visualized and manipulated three-dimensional structures, gaining a deeper understanding of geometric relationships, balance, and symmetry. They also engaged in critical problem-solving, iterating their designs to ensure structural integrity while fostering creativity through experimentation.
After successfully printing their designs, the fifth-grade students led a lesson for Kindergarteners, connecting the project to literacy through the book Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, which celebrates uniqueness and individuality. The Kindergarten students sketched their own unique snowflakes before being guided through the 3D-printing process by their older peers.
This collaboration created an enriching, multi-generational learning environment where younger students explored foundational STEM concepts while older students honed leadership, mentorship, and communication skills. By simplifying complex ideas for their younger counterparts, the fifth graders reinforced their own understanding, building confidence in both their technological and interpersonal abilities.
“This collaboration aligns with the Vision 2030 cornerstones, as it promotes interdisciplinary approaches, helps build essential knowledge, and fosters a supportive community of learners,” said Challenge Program teacher Risa Miller. “Together, they ignite curiosity and creativity while developing technological skills in a fun and interactive way, making learning a shared and enriching experience.”
