Why Teachers Love ModelMetricks and GeomeTricks

Spinning Spirals

colorful factory

rainbow building

customized loft bed

rainbow striped letters

put your own posters on the wall

make your own puzzles

pictures in frames

striped bowl

sphere patterns

optical illusions

Why Teachers Love ModelMetricks and Geometricks

With Google SketchUp, kids have so much fun designing 3D models like the ones shown on the left, they don't even realize how much they're learning. We are proud to offer two series of K-12 project books based on SketchUp: ModelMetricks and GeomeTricks. These are the first (and only) 3D computer design materials written specifically for kids in K-12.

Why Use ModelMetricks and Geometricks with Your Students?

These books are FUN.

Computer time is many students' favorite part of the day. But they won't stick with a project unless they're having fun. The models in these books are fun to make - they are designs we've seen kids invent on their own in school, and while they are working with friends. What could be cooler than a house shaped like a rainbow, or designing your own bedroom with framed posters of your favorite singers? 

These books TEACH important concepts.

While your students are busy creating their 3D designs, they are absorbing many of the design concepts taught to architects, mathematicians, engineers, and artists. Teachers report that SketchUp helps develop both analytical and creative skills. (But you don't have to tell that to your students.)

Students work independently.

These books are great for self-learning. Each step of each project is accompanied by a picture, plus a very detailed explanation of what to do and why to do it. Your students can get started immediately from Page 1, and within minutes have their first design. They can work all the way through the book with as much (or as little) guidance as you want to give.

Students like "bite-size" chunks.

These books are not intimidating. ModelMetricks books range between 100 and 170 half-size pages; GeomeTricks books range between 40 and 100 pages. Each page has several pictures, and short, easy-to-follow instructions. A book can easily share space with a computer on a desk, plus it will lie nearly flat when open. And you can load up a backpack with several of our books, without worrying about tipping the child over.

C o l o r is Cool.

SketchUp is colorful, and so are our materials. Each step of each project has a detailed, full-color, eye-catching picture of what your screen should look like. Large, bright arrows are used to point out icons, window options, and whatever else is important to notice in a picture.

Progression builds skills and self-esteem.

ModelMetricks and GeomeTricks books are divided into series, which start out with the basics and work up to advanced projects. Working through a series of project books this way serves two purposes. First, the books proceed in a logical order that builds up the skill set in stages. Second, it gives students a great sense of accomplishment when they complete one level and move on to the next.

Review pages reinforce.

After you work through 30 or 40 pages, it's easy to forget what you just did. A little reminder helps immensely to reinforce what you've just learned. At the end of each ModelMetricks chapter is a bullet-item list of every new concept and tool introduced in that chapter.

Projects are appropriate for all ages.

Kids can start with the ModelMetricks Basics Series as soon as they can read and use a computer mouse. And once they've used SketchUp a bit, they can work through the harder ModelMetricks and GeomeTricks projects. This doesn't mean that a 15-year old will find our materials too "young." Older kids can master SketchUp using the same approach, they will just take their knowledge farther and faster. (Teachers love the books, too, even if they don't admit it to their students.)

Gender Equity - Girls are included.

As a woman engineer, 3DVinci founder Bonnie Roskes holds gender equity close to her heart. These books are perfect for sparking your girls' interest in geometry, modeling, and 3D design. When we see SketchUp in action in schools, the girls are just as engaged as the boys, and produce incredibly creative designs that reflect both geometric accuracy as well as personal tastes. Our projects are all gender-neutral, and both boys and girls can easily add their own  touches to their projects.

SketchUp paves the way to more advanced skills. 

SketchUp design skills lead to a natural interest in more advanced topics, such as 3D animation, geometry and higher-level math, physics, and robotics. In our increasingly technological world, acquiring these skills early gives kids enormous advantages in higher education and career choices.

 

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