MPACT3D | Math and Computational Thinking through 3D Making

Project-based learning through making—helping students develop mathematical understanding, computational thinking, and spatial reasoning.

Are you a multiple-subjects teacher, a math or computer science teacher, a STEAM specialist, or a librarian with a makerspace? These free ready-to-download design-and-making units are for you!

Illustration of laptop with MPACT curriculum page

About the Project

Four projects for each grade, 4th–7th with research-based activities

Digital or paper booklets for students
Detailed teacher guides
Digital tools and traditional craft materials for most projects:
- Free, kid-friendly 3D modeling tool—Tinkercad
- Low-cost, high-quality 3D printers
- Quick-dry clay, upcycled cardboard and plastic, etc.
Low-tech units do not require digital tools.

Infographic of the design process for MPACT

Example from grade 5

Students make a toy with wheels for a younger child. They

1. Learn about the needs of their user

2. Prototype designs with scrap paper and tape

3. Design wheels in Tinkercad and 3D print them

4. Make the rest of the toy with inexpensive or upcycled materials

Give the toy to the child and see if it’s a fun toy to play with!

Providing opportunities to:

Learn about volume (math), devising and debugging algorithms (CS), and mental rotation (spatial reasoning)
Develop empathy, through making for another person
Gain workplace-related practices in design and making

Key Concepts

MPACT addresses key topics in most state standards for math and national standards for computer science. Students learn concepts and solve problems with real objects they can hold in their hands, not just with words and diagrams on paper.

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