NASA's Alien by Design - Tinkercad and VR with MergeEDU
Monday, June 30, 2025 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM · 1 hr. (America/Chicago)
Model Lesson Experience
Emergent Technologies, AR, VR, and XR
Information
Participants will create a custom alien adapted to conditions on an exoplanet recently viewed by the James Webb Space Telescope using 3D modeling in Tinkercad. They will label the features of their creation, viewing it in virtual reality through MergeEDU. This design process can be adapted to other disciplines as well.
Outline
This session will introduce participants to the exoplanet K2-18b and the conditions on Hycean planets. They will use Tinkercad to design an alien that might live on this planet, and then upload it to MergeEDU to prepare a VR presentation for other participants.
Introduction & Video (10 minutes): Present K2-18b and Hycean planet conditions.
Sketching Designs (10 minutes): Participants brainstorm and sketch alien concepts on paper.
Creating in Tinkercad (30 minutes): Step-by-step guided 3D modeling of their alien species in Tinkercad.
Uploading & Viewing in MergeEDU (20 minutes): Participants upload their models to MergeEDU, label key adaptations, and view in VR.
Sharing and Peer Feedback (15 minutes): Participants share their models with others, explaining their design choices and receiving feedback.
Wrap-up (5 minutes): Discuss overall takeaways and applications of 3D/VR learning in classrooms.
Supporting research
https://stemeducationjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40594-022-00382-8
Attendee Accounts
Participants will need a Google account to be able to log in to TinkerCad and MergeEDU. They may also wish to download the app Objectviewer from Merge Edu onto phones.
Content Community
ISTELive
Subject Area
Interdisciplinary (STEM/STEAM)Science
Grade Level
6-12
Audience
Teacher
Session Delivery
In Person
Sample Schedule
AR/MR/VR/XR
Transformative Learning Principles
Ignite AgencySpark Curiosity
ISTE Standards
Students: Creative Communicator: Use digital tools to visually communicate complex ideas to others.Students: Global Collaborator: Use digital tools to connect with peers from a variety of backgrounds recognizing diverse viewpoints and broadening mutual understanding.Students: Innovative Designer: Select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risks.
Skill Level
Beginner
Registration Required
No
Attendee Devices
Devices required
Attendee Device Specification
Laptop: ChromebookLaptop: MacLaptop: PCSmartphone: AndroidSmartphone: iOSSmartphone: Windows
Spotlight on Solutions
No
Additional Fee
No
Influencer Disclosure
This session includes a presenter that indicated a “material connection” to a brand that includes a personal, family or employment relationship, or a financial relationship. See individual speaker menu for disclosure information.
