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This is a prototype of a mathematical tool designed using Digital Fabrication for Students.
When teaching Geometrical Construction to 13-year-olds, students typically need to purchase a compass, which can cost between SGD $2 and $6. Often, after completing this unit and the year-end examination, the compass is no longer used for other topics or subjects. In contrast, the RulCompass is designed to serve as both a compass and a ruler, providing lasting utility throughout their school years and across various subjects beyond mathematics.
On top of that, it can also be used to draw circles of dimensions 1cm, 1.1cm, 1.2cm … all the way to 15.9cm for the 15cm version of RulCompass.
Although RulCompass is specially designed to function as required like a compass, it takes the compact and portable form of a ruler. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost will definitely below that of a compass. Hence, this RulCompass is helping all students and their parents to save money.
Secondly, with the reduced cost and its compact design, teachers can bring along and distribute extra RulCompasses to students who need them, ensuring that the lack of mathematical tools does not hinder their learning. This promotes an inclusive classroom environment where all students can actively practice and apply mathematical concepts.
Finally, with the RulCompass at hand, students are encouraged to unleash their creativity by constructing artistic designs and geometric shapes, fostering a meaningful connection between art and mathematics.
Download the svg file and laser cut the required number for your students to use when you are teaching High School Mathematics Geometry on the topic of Geometrical Construction of triangles, quadrilaterals, angle bisector and perpendicular bisector.
Note: This is the first version of prototype.
There is also the 20 cm version. Improvements are on-going to create ProComRule, that is a rule which serves the function of a compass and protractor.
ProComRule = Protractor + Compass + Ruler
RulCompass svg file
Laser Cutting of RulCompass
Permanent and whiteboard markers
Demonstration Videos for students and teachers
At the end of the introduction to this mathematical tool, students will be able to appreciate the design and the compactness of RulCompass. They understand that there can be multiple tools for their learning process and they are encouraged to examine the pros and cons of the different tools for those of them who already has a compass.
They will be able to use RulCompass to help them to solve Geometrical Construction Questions. Two examples of such questions are below:
Cambridge O level Syllabus, 2019 P1 Question
School’s Secondary 1 End of Year Exam Question 
Could you have done this activity without the teaching aid you have fabricated?
Yes. Students would use the compass that they need to buy to answer the questions and construct the required geometrical construction such as angle bisector, perpendicular bisector, triangles or quadrilaterals.
The students who did not bring their compass would need to share, wait and turn take to use the available compass. Some of them may become disengaged without the appropriate learning tools in this case the compass.
How do you think digital fabrication improves the activity vs utilizing traditional methods? What is the extra value?
This is an innovative product designed to serve a specialize function in mathematical learning, that is, geometrical construction. With this tools shared, design or if possible marketed and sold. Each students would be able to save $1-$5 more by getting the RulCompass instead of buying ruler and compass which are both required in the learning of this topic.
It is the affordance of the skills and tools support by FLA and DFS(Singapore Science Centre) that I embarked to create this product that comes into my mind during module 1. Usually, we will have some students who did not come to lesson with such tools such as compass or protractor, hence their ability to participate and learn together, or follow with the class will be affected.
With such a lower cost design, teachers can laser cut an additional 10 RulCompass to bring to class so that all students can engage in the learning and hands-on practice.
This RulCompass can also be patented and mass produced for all students to use during their learning of Geometrical Construction.
What are some challenges you expect when you do the activity with your class?
Students will need to get use to this new tool. For a compass, the construction can be done using one hand. For this Rulcompass, the user will need the use of both hands for the construction.
What did you learn during the fabrication process?
For the use of Inkscape,
For the use of laser cutter,
This the svg file for laser cutting
It is suggested to cut on a 2mm thick, transparent arcylic. I tested on 3mm thick acylic and I found it to be too thick. I also cut on 1mm thick arcylic, it broke after a week in my bag. I use the following settings for laser cutting Speed 20%, Power 70%, Freq 100%
Diagram 1 : Diagram 2:
Power 75 “Flame Observed” Final Power Setting 70
For the reading to be observable, I explored the use of various makers. For the best long lasting effect, I used permanent maker to go over the engraved numbers and lines. Then I used a whiteboard maker to go over the shaded area as the solvent in the whiteboard maker helped to remove the black marking on the non-engraved areas.
Markers used
Before and After Effect
Here are two videos for both teachers and students to demonstrate the use of RulCompass to solve the Geometrical Construction questions.
Click on this link to watch the Two Demonstration Videos !
Perpendicular Bisector Draw Triangles of given lengths of sides
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