3D Design with Tinkercad

Students learn the fundamentals of 3D design by adding, moving, scaling, rotating, and aligning shapes to build models such as a 3D face, a keychain, and an animal. They also use Tinkercad Codeblocks to create 3D designs with block coding. In the design projects, students apply the design process to real-world challenges, such as creating a custom bubble wand, designing an accessible keyboard, inventing a new playground play structure, and designing a bridge.

Students create their designs on the Tinkercad website rather than inside CodeHS, so each student needs a Tinkercad account. Tinkercad is a free, browser-based 3D design tool from Autodesk, and teachers can set up a Tinkercad Classroom to manage student accounts. CodeHS provides the lesson plans, slides, rubrics, and a Tinkercad teacher guide.

3D Design with Tinkercad is designed for elementary students in grades K-5, and no prior 3D design or coding experience is needed. The introductory lessons teach students how to work with shapes in Tinkercad, and the later projects build on those skills.

Most lessons take about 90 minutes, and some design projects take about 45 minutes with optional extensions that can stretch the work across several class periods. Teachers can use the introductory lessons on their own or continue into the design projects as time allows.

3D Design with Tinkercad lessons are aligned to many state computer science standards as well as the ISTE Standards for Students.