Lasercutting in Action: Fast, Creative, and Student-Friendly

Lasercutting is by far my favourite fabrication tool to use with students. It’s fast, easy to learn, and more eco-friendly than many other options. In my Makerspace we have several 3D printers, but when students or teachers ask to use them, I usually pause and ask: can this be done more efficiently on a lasercutter?

3D printing has value, but it comes with challenges. Prints often take more than an hour, the design process can be tricky for beginners, and it creates a lot of plastic waste. Lasercutting, on the other hand, gives students the chance to design, test, and produce results in the same lesson.

This year our Grade 5 students worked on a project that showed the power of this tool. Each student designed a keychain or necklace with a personal word for the year, such as perseverance, gratitude, or caring. Around their word, they added a symbol to represent their identity.

For the design process we used Inkpad, a free vector app that works well with kids. Students began with sketches on paper, then switched to their iPads and styluses to draw digitally. They exported their files, and I prepared them for cutting on our Makeblock lasercutter. Editing and resizing took a little time, but once the designs were ready, the actual cutting and engraving was quick.

To finish, students decorated their pieces with acrylic markers and added string to make necklaces. The results were creative, colourful, and personal. Each one reflected the student’s chosen word in a way that was both meaningful and wearable.

I was really impressed with what they made. Have you used lasercutters for student projects? I’d love to hear how you’re bringing them into your classroom.