All Challenges

Challenge 052 · Ages 10–16

3D Pencil Holder

Create a desk organiser.

Recommended Guided Learning Time: 3 hours

Learners may require additional or fewer hours depending on age, prior experience, pace and the level of development they choose to take their project to.

Primary STEAM area

Engineering

The Challenge

What will your learner investigate?

Can you create a desk organiser. and explain the choices that make your solution effective?

Learning outcomes

  • Create a three-dimensional design that meets a defined purpose.
  • Use scale, dimensions and spatial reasoning accurately.
  • Evaluate and refine the model for printability, function or appearance.

Connected learning

Design & Technology: CAD and prototyping; Mathematics: geometry, scale and measurement; Art: form and aesthetics; Computing: digital modelling.

Dream Areas

3D designproduct designindustrial designadditive manufacturingarchitecture

Prepare for this Challenge

What you'll need

Here's what may be useful for completing this activity. Requirements may vary depending on the learner, activity format and equipment available.

Materials & consumables

  • 3D-print plastic printing filament (material fed into a 3D printer)
  • sketch paper.

Equipment, tools & software

  • computer-aided design (CAD) software for drawing 3D models
  • 3D printer
  • ruler
  • callipers (a tool for measuring small dimensions accurately).

Safety & preparation

  • Adult handles heated print bed and removes prints safely.

These preparation notes support planning and do not replace a project-specific risk assessment or appropriate adult supervision.