3D from 2D: Simple Interlocking Shapes

Students create 3D figurines from laser cut wood that do not require glue. The challenge of this project is creating the patterns for the laser cutter to use. It requires using imagination, online photo editing programs, and understanding how to use a laser cutter. This project is great for recreating characters from stories, historical figures, symbols, objects, and important trinkets from a book or lesson. Students could work either independently or in small groups for this project as it has many steps. This project should take about three 45 minute class periods. One for collecting ideas and images, the other for editing the images, and the third to send to the laser cutter and get a finished product. For this project, students should have access to a computer and have an open mind to learning digital editing.