The halls of Bnos Malka Academy were recently filled with creativity, innovation, and Torah values as the eighth grade elective 3D Printing class, Design Fab @CIJE, completed a meaningful and inspiring project. Using Tinkercad, a program that combines 3D design and coding, the girls designed and created original pieces under the theme of Hiddur Mitzvah – the beautification of a mitzvah. Their challenge was to choose mitzvos that typically don’t have a physical object associated with them and then design and code objects to meaningfully represent those mitzvos.
Each student chose a mitzvah that was personally meaningful to her. The mitzvos selected included Hafrashas Challah (separating a portion of dough), Lashon HaRa (guarding one’s speech), Kibud Av VaEim (honoring parents), Hachnasas Orchim (welcoming guests), and Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick). The girls thoughtfully considered how to visually portray these mitzvos in a tangible, creative way.
Using design software, the students coded and designed their custom pieces. Some projects included symbolic representations, while others integrated practical elements or decorative touches to honor the mitzvah’s spirit. Once their designs were finalized, the projects were printed on the school’s 3D printers. Some students added additional materials and artistic details to complete their displays.
As a final step, each student presented her project to the class, explaining the mitzvah she selected, the meaning behind it, and why it holds significance for her personally. It was an opportunity not only to showcase their technical skills and creativity, but also to deepen their understanding of mitzvos and share those lessons with their peers.
The finished projects were a beautiful testament to the students’ hard work, talent, and connection to their heritage. This elective offered a unique way to blend modern technology with timeless Torah values, and the results were nothing short of inspiring. The Bnos Malka community is proud of the eighth graders for bringing mitzvos to life in such a meaningful and innovative way.
