finalists announced
Challenge Details

YOUR CHALLENGE IS:

CREATE A 3D MODEL OF A WEARABLE PIN THAT THANKS VETERANS

Challenge Closed





If you are a fourth to twelfth grade student in the United States, your challenge is to create a digital 3D model of a wearable pin to be 3D printed and distributed to U.S. veterans at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio. Your pin should be original and designed to show appreciation or gratitude for veterans of any U.S. military service branch. To enter, please submit the following entry materials by December 15, 2023!

  • STL file of your 3D model (max 20 MB)
  • Image of your design (digital image of the 3D model or a photo of a 3D print)
  • Text description of your entry (max 150 words)
Entries will be judged in two grade-level categories: 4-8 and 9-12

Your entry will be reviewed by judges, including U.S. service members and veterans. The top 10 finalists in each grade-level category (20 finalists total) will get their designs 3D printed, glued to pin backs (if necessary), and handed out to veterans who visit the museum. Finalists will also each receive five prints of their design and a $100 gift card toward a professional 3D print. The challenge winners (2 grand prize winners total) will win a trip for two to Columbus, OH, to attend a special event on Memorial Day at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Each winner will also receive a 3D printer donated to the school, library, or organization of their choice!

Check out the EDUCATION RESOURCES  to learn more about Veteran’s Day and 3D printing. For all entry requirements, please refer to the RULES. Get creative and good luck!

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Grades 4-8 Finalist
Aarushi K.
Bossier City, LA
Blooms of Valor
Grades 4-8 Finalist
Alexis T.
Jackson, OH
Power and Striking Force
Grades 4-8 Finalist
Allison G.
Venus, TX
Homage to veterans
Grades 4-8 Finalist
Asitai F.
Cary, NC
Valor Pin
Grades 4-8 Finalist
Avery G.
Powell, OH
Honor with Braille
Grades 4-8 Finalist
Daniel G.
San Antonio, TX
"Your Service is Timeless"
Grades 4-8 Finalist
Dhruv G.
Houston, TX
Revolving Selector Pin
Grades 4-8 Finalist
Kairon B.
Sewell, NJ
Spectacular Veterans
Grades 4-8 Finalist
Matthew B.
Marietta, PA
Home of the Free Pin
Grades 4-8 Finalist
Thomas V.
Cranford, NJ
Veteran Appreciation Challenge
Grades 9-12 Finalist
Aaron W.
Spokane, WA
Guardians of peace
Grades 9-12 Finalist
Austin A.
Cumberland Furnace, TN
Veterans Appreciation Pin
Grades 9-12 Finalist
Caleb H.
Duluth , MN
“Honoring Heroes”
Grades 9-12 Finalist
Darwin S.
Williamsville, NY
Veterans Coin
Grades 9-12 Finalist
Eddie P.
Houston, TX
An Award for Their Service
Grades 9-12 Finalist
Gabrielle G.
Lawton, OK
Eagle's Embrace: Commemorating
Grades 9-12 Finalist
Jaxon S.
Woodstock, GA
Veterans for the World
Grades 9-12 Finalist
Kira C.
Friday Harbor, WA
Handing Love to Veterans
Grades 9-12 Finalist
Megan M.
Friday Harbor, WA
Honor and Appreciation
Grades 9-12 Finalist
William R.
Utica, KY
Veterans' Pin
View the Full Gallery >
 
 

DATES / JUDGING CRITERIA / PRIZES

You have to play by the rules to win.

WHO CAN ENTER

Fourth to twelfth grade students attending a public, private, or home school in the United States, including U.S. territories or possessions and schools operated by the U.S. for the children of US personnel overseas. For all eligibility requirements, please refer to the rules.
Students Grades 4-8
Students Grades 9-12

JUDGING CRITERIA

Grades 4-8
Grades 9-12
 
50
POINTS
Your design's ability to help a Veteran feel appreciated
25
POINTS
Creativity and originality of the design
25
POINTS
Quality of the 3-D design
50
POINTS
Your design's ability to help a Veteran feel appreciated
25
POINTS
Creativity and originality of the design
25
POINTS
Quality of the 3-D design

HOW TO ENTER

Please review the Challenge Rules and Design Guidelines prior to creating your entry.

Challenge Rules Design Guidelines

TEACHERS
Sign up to register your class and manage entries. We now support Google Classroom too!

STUDENTS
Sign up on your own, or use a code to participate with your class.

STUDENT USING GOOGLE CLASSROOM?
Login to Submit

STUDENT & TEACHER SIGN UP
PROGRAM DATES
Challenge Launch
28
September
Entries Close
15
December
Finalists Announced
07
March
Winners Announced
03
April
Challenge Launch
28
September
Entries Close
15
December
Finalists Announced
07
March
Winners Announced
03
April

PRIZES

 

Dive Into The Challenge

Lesson Plan Details and Challenge Tips!

1. Links & Lessons

Lesson Plan, Slide Deck & More!

2. Digital Tools

Create a 3D model

3. Brainstorm & Design

Plan your design
Links & Lessons
Digital Tools
Brainstorm & Design
Links & Lessons
>
Links & Lessons
Digital Tools
Brainstorm & Design

LEARN ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

Use the new Challenge Slide Deck and Lesson Plan to help you create an entry. Check out the additional links and videos to learn more about Veteran's Day, 3D Design, and the Engineering Design Process.

Brainstorm & Design

When planning your pin design, think about both form and function. Pins can come in a variety of shapes, styles, and colors. Pins can even bend and have movement. With 3D design, the possibilities are endless. Use the topics below to help brainstorm your pin design.
Brainstorming Idea
GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION

A picture is worth a thousand words, and you can include one in your pin design. Think about the types of symbols and images you can use in your design. What symbols represent veterans and or gratitude? How will you incorporate them into your 3D design?

 

 

 

 

Brainstorming Idea
TEXT

Will your pin have text? If the answer is “yes,” what will your pin say, and how will it communicate your message?  Will you use letters, braille, or something else? Will you use an existing font or create your own? You have limited space, so choose your letters/words wisely. 

 

 

 

 

Brainstorming Idea
MECHANICAL MOVEMENT

Pins can dangle, bobble, sway, slide, and spin. Will your design include movement? Dangle pins typically have an extension from the base of the pin that hands from small loops of chains. Bobble pins use a spring to create their giggly motion. Slider pins have a piece that slides back and forth across the base of a pin. Spinner pins have parts that can move 360 degrees. What kind of moving pin will you choose, and how will your design make it happen?

Brainstorming Idea
INTENTIONAL COLOR

Whether you use pastels, primary, bright or dark colors, color choice can have meaning. For example, light red or pink often represents love, and red, white and blue represent freedom. Being intentional with the color of your 3D print can bring an added layer of meaning to your pin.

Brainstorming Idea
FLAT ART vs. SCULPTURAL

Three-dimensional objects have width, height, and depth. How will you vary the size of your height, width, and depth to bring your pin idea to life? Will your pin be flat, or will it pop out like 3D sculpted object?

 

Brainstorming Idea
PRINT-IN-PLACE

Print-in-place models are unique 3D models with hinges, links, and joints that create movable parts in one print. With this design style, your pin could flex, bend, and move. If you want your pin to have mobility, print-in-place could be a good option.

 

Digital Tools

Learn about different tools you can use to create a 3D model
Online Service
Make basic 3D models by stacking blocks together to create interesting 3D shapes. Good for beginner students to get interested in 3D design and 3D printing. COPPA compliant site for kids under 13.
Mac or PC (Cloud Connected)
Take your skills to the next level with Fusion 360, a professional 3D design tool. It's good for making basic parametric shapes or complicated curves. Autodesk products are offered FREE for students, but you do need a student license to run the program.
Online Service
Make basic 3D models by stacking blocks together to create interesting 3D shapes. Good for beginner students to get interested in 3D design and 3D printing. COPPA compliant site for kids under 13.

Videos / Resources

Build & Iterate

FOR THE CLASSROOM

Group Size

Split into 8 teams

Approach

Assign each team a video lesson and have them present what they learned

Material

None

Educator tools

 
 
Recent Entries
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INSPIRING THE INNOVATORS OF TOMORROW

The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) is a collection of apprenticeships, competitions, and enrichment programs designed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and inspire learners from kindergarten all the way through post-doctoral programs. Through hands-on learning experiences and mentorship, AEOP hopes to create a lifelong interest in STEM and empower diverse STEM leaders of the future. Visit the AEOP website to learn more and find a program near you.

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