Design and Print a Spinning Top

I am a STEAM educator. For the past 4 years, I have helped with a STEAM Club at our Elementary. For one of our afterschool workshops, I developed this spinning top activity. My goal was to provide a hands-on activity that would introduce the students to Tinkercad and 3D printing. I obtained the 3D files from Thingiverse (thanks to tigermcho for this design). I imported the top stem and a hole for the tip into Tinkercad to create the starter project for the students.

Supplies

3D Printer

3D printed tops

3D printed top launcher

Tinkercad

Scale for measuring mass

Rulers

Stopwatch

Student computers or Chromebooks

Step 1: Print Top Launchers

You will need to print enough top launchers so that each group has one. I had 12 groups so I printed 12 launchers. Each launcher consists of 3 parts that are printed separately and then assembled. I used a few dabs of super glue to keep the launcher lid secure. Additionally, each launcher needs a pull cord. There are 2 sizes to choose from.

Step 2: Print and Assemble Tops for Testing

The top and tip are printed disassembled and then glued together afterward. For the metal-tipped tops, I used the bbtip file and super glued a bb to the tip. I also printed enough tips for all of the students ahead of time.

Step 3: Testing the Spinners

For this step, students may work in groups or individually.

1. Give each student or group a top and a launcher.
2. Have the students measure and find the mass of their top and record on the comparison sheet.
3. Show the students how to use the launcher and have them practice.
4. Have the students use the stopwatch to time how long their top will spin. Have them do 3 or 4 trials and then record the best time.

Step 4: Discussing the Data

Have each student or group share the results from their test. Students should record these results on their comparison sheets. Have students hypothesize which factors might contribute to how long a top will spin.

Step 5: Tinkercad Design 1

Instructions for students:

1. Sign into Tinkercad
2. Access the starter project by clicking this link
3. Click on "Copy and Tinker"

Step 6: Tinkercad Design 2

Find the star under basic shapes and drag it onto the workspace. Set the number of points to 6. Click on the white handle in the corners of the star and change the length and width to 50.

Step 7: Tinkercad Design 3

Click on the star and adjust the inner radius to the desired position.

Step 8: Tinkercad Design 4

Select all of the objects by drawing a box around them. Click on the align button. Click on the black circles on the bottom center and the side center.

Step 9: Tinkercad Design 5

Select all object by drawing a box around them. Click the group button.

Step 10: Tinkercad Design Optional Add-on 1

Try adding a ring around your spinner.

Step 11: Tinkercad Design Optional Add-On 2

Add your Initials to the spinner

Step 12: Print Student Tops

I have a classroom on Tinkercad so that I can access my students' designs. I have my students title their top "ready to print" along with their desired color. At this point, I can double-check students' designs and export them for printing.