Tinkercad is an fully online, open 3D design program, and it’s a perfect way to start with a 3d printer. It’s also a perfect way to just experience those design principles that go into building something real. You can build and adjust a library full of existing 3D objects in order to design what you want, and you can always design your own object when needed. It doesn’t just stop there though as Tinkercad also allows you to build with Lego Style Bricks, Minecraft Style blocks, and you can even switch over to do Arduino style circuits. Really, it becomes the avenue to build almost anything.
This contest is especially cool because there aren’t many limits to it. Their asking you to build the old fashion toy inside an egg, but that’s about the only requirement. Your toy could be anything, but the EGG can also be anything as long as the toy fits inside it. Basically, this can be Easter fun at any level, and you are teaching design principles and problem solving through out. You can give it a try at http://bit.ly/tinkercaddesign. Submissions close April 12th.