Abstract: The uptake of 3D printing in education has been fueled by affordable technology and the allure of learning through the design process. One of the appealing aspects of 3D printing is the creation of tangible artifacts, this is a significant affordance of 3D printing. However, what is the value of having an artifact to inspect and critique? This paper will describe a pilot project that involved a student teacher that lead 6 grade-four students who created designs of simple machines to test 3D printed prototypes. This exploration investigated the creation process, the integration of rapid prototyping, and considered the implications for learning.