Design and print a model town using CAD and 3D printing

With our design and technology KS3 teaching resource lesson plan and template, learners will create a visual answer to a design situation using both sketching and CAD drawing software, followed by 3D printing a physical model.

This is one of a set of teaching resources designed to allow learners to use practical methods to support the delivery of key topics within Design & Technology and Engineering. This activity is based on CAD and 3D printing and provides a straightforward, practical way to introduce these technologies into the curriculum.

This activity involves generating creative design ideas for a building, drawing the final design idea using CAD software, and 3D printing a model of the building. The software used for the CAD activity is the free and widely used Onshape; however, this could easily be substituted for any other 3D CAD software already available in school.

The models of the building have a small footprint to facilitate relatively short printing time. Copies could be printed for both the learner and for display purposes. A miniature ‘town’ created from the different models can be an effective way of displaying learner creativity, differentiation, and the effective application of new technologies within the curriculum.

This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to reinforce CAD drawing skills or to introduce 3D printing. It could also be used as part of a scheme of work learning about the design process.

Activity: Designing and printing a model town

Learners will decide upon a building to create and its purpose before sketching three draft ideas. They will then select the best features of their ideas before drawing a final design idea. Learners can share their ideas and concepts with peers for constructive feedback and improvement of designs.

Once their designs have been finalised they will use Onshape to produce CAD models of their buildings and then 3D print them to create a town including the work of the whole class. 

Tools/supplies needed:

Resources required:

• Pencils
• Computer access with 3D drawing package (Onshape, Tinkercad, Fusion 360, Solidworks etc)
• 3D Printer and filament

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to design and print a model town

Learners will design and make a model town using CAD and 3D printing.

• Consider what the purpose of the building is, who will use it and will the building have any surroundings that may affect the design.
• On the template sheet, produce at least three different ideas for your building. Remember the model has to fit in a 25 x 25 mm square.
• Familiarise yourself with the basics of Onshape. Draw a square and make it 25 x 25 mm. The model of your building can be no bigger than this.
• Now extrude it to 25mm in height. This is the biggest your building can be. From this you can cut into the cube.
• Or use the 25 x 25 as a footprint. Design a floorplan of your house and extrude upwards. Add a roof to give character.
• It doesn’t have to look like a box! Make your design stand out from the others.
• Print off your design and add to the class map of “Schoolville”. Once all are printed, the new town will be complete.

The engineering context

CAD is a versatile tool used by engineers across various disciplines to conceptualise, design, analyse, and document complex systems and structures. For example, engineers use CAD to design cars and buildings and to carry out virtual testing of aircraft wings.

3D printing in engineering facilitates rapid prototyping, customisation, and the production of complex geometries while reducing material waste and enabling on-demand production.

Suggested learning outcomes

This resource combines design and technology with engineering with the aim that the learners will be able to communicate a design, develop design skills using the Onshape CAD software and be able to 3D print a design idea successfully.

Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

You can download our step-by-step instructions below as either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation.

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