In a world where connection matters more than ever, our 2nd graders used technology not just to create — but to understand each other. This project was more than a design challenge; it was a celebration of empathy, identity, and friendship.
To start, each student interviewed a classmate using guided questions focused on favorite hobbies, foods, books, family traditions, and what makes them unique. These weren’t surface-level conversations — students were engaged, thoughtful, and genuinely curious about each other.
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| Photo Credits: Vicki's Tech Hub |
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| Photo Credits: Vicki's Tech Hub |
From there, the real magic happened: students took what they learned and turned it into a tangible design. Using Tinkercad, they created a 3D object that represented their partner — a soccer ball for a sports lover, a cat for an animal enthusiast, a slice of pizza for a foodie. Every single print told a story. Every design was a tribute to what made their classmate special.
What students learned:
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Social-Emotional Learning: Active listening, empathy, kindness, and celebrating differences.
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3D Design Skills: Basic modeling, resizing, using shapes and holes, creative problem-solving.
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Classroom Culture: This project built trust and friendship, creating a more connected classroom environment.
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Productive Struggle: Students encountered challenges with their designs — and pushed through. They asked for help, supported each other, and grew through the process.
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| Photo Credits: Vicki's Tech Hub |
The result? A classroom full of tiny sculptures that were anything but small. They represented hearts, minds, and friendships — all made visible through design.
This is what she likes best, and I made it for her! one student beamed.
He told he wanted to learn more about turtles, so I put one on his backpack tag!
This is the kind of learning that sticks. When students design for someone else, it’s not just about the technology — it’s about humanity.
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