> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://stem-docs.intellectualpoint.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Capstone showcase

> Present your capstone project, learn how it is judged, celebrate the week, and see where to go next.

## The big day

You built a printer, calibrated it, mastered filaments, and printed a project of your own. Now it is time to show it off. Today each contestant presents their capstone project to the class and the judges.

<Info>
  Bring your finished project (or your best attempt) and be ready to talk through your whole process. Remember: you are judged on **effort and problem-solving**, not just perfection.
</Info>

## Your presentation

When it is your turn, walk the class through these five points:

<Steps>
  <Step title="What your print is" icon="box">
    Show your project and describe what it is and what it does.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Why you chose it" icon="heart">
    Tell us what drew you to this project.
  </Step>

  <Step title="The steps you followed" icon="footprints">
    Walk through your process: designing or downloading, slicing, settings, and printing to completion.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Problems and how you solved them" icon="wrench">
    Share what went wrong and how you fixed it. This is where you earn serious points.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Any post-processing" icon="paintbrush">
    If you sanded, glued, painted, or assembled parts, explain what you did.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If your print failed, present anyway. Explaining what went wrong and what you learned can score higher than a flawless print with no story. That is the "fail forward" spirit.
</Tip>

## How it is judged

Projects are scored out of **100 base points**, with optional bonuses that can push you above 100.

| Category                      | Points | What it means                                       |
| ----------------------------- | ------ | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Creativity and originality    | 20     | A unique idea or creative design                    |
| Effort and complexity         | 20     | Challenge level, multiple parts, intricate detail   |
| Execution and print quality   | 20     | Completed successfully with good settings           |
| Problem solving and iteration | 15     | You fixed issues and adapted                        |
| Presentation and explanation  | 20     | Clearly explained idea, process, and results        |
| Modeling bonus                | +10    | Made your own model from scratch or with real edits |
| Multiple parts bonus          | +5     | More than one printed part, assembled or functional |
| Post-processing bonus         | +5     | Sanding, painting, gluing, polishing, finishing     |

## The prizes

First, second, and third place winners each choose a premium **tri-color silk PLA** spool.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Frame caption="Tri-color silk PLA">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/intellectualpoint/O5GrjWnEycOQFaAQ/images/adv3d/prize-filament-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=O5GrjWnEycOQFaAQ&q=85&s=ed6e565ae113949791ea92d8b2cf9f0e" alt="Tri-color silk PLA filament spool with a printed dragon" width="705" height="761" data-path="images/adv3d/prize-filament-1.png" />
  </Frame>

  <Frame caption="Rainbow silk PLA">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/intellectualpoint/O5GrjWnEycOQFaAQ/images/adv3d/prize-filament-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=O5GrjWnEycOQFaAQ&q=85&s=4cbf2b200de05e9a40f2affdcf95ba42" alt="Rainbow tri-color silk PLA filament spool with a printed dragon" width="670" height="696" data-path="images/adv3d/prize-filament-2.png" />
  </Frame>

  <Frame caption="Matte tri-color PLA">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/intellectualpoint/O5GrjWnEycOQFaAQ/images/adv3d/prize-filament-3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=O5GrjWnEycOQFaAQ&q=85&s=8b5bf1186686b7697f5e621ae73f04df" alt="Matte tri-color PLA filament spool with printed models" width="777" height="749" data-path="images/adv3d/prize-filament-3.png" />
  </Frame>
</CardGroup>

## What you accomplished this week

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="You built a real machine" icon="package-open">
    From a sealed box to a calibrated, Wi-Fi-connected 3D printer you assembled yourself.
  </Card>

  <Card title="You learned the science" icon="layers">
    Filament types, temperatures, drying, build surfaces, nozzles, and additives.
  </Card>

  <Card title="You ran the full pipeline" icon="file-code">
    Model to slicer to G-code to a finished print sent over Wi-Fi.
  </Card>

  <Card title="You solved real problems" icon="wrench">
    Diagnosed failures and fixed them like a maker, not just a button-pusher.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Where to go next

Your printer is yours to keep. Here is how to keep growing:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Learn 3D design" icon="pen-tool">
    Start with **Tinkercad** (free and beginner friendly), then grow into **Fusion 360** or **Onshape** to design your own original models.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Find models to print" icon="download">
    Browse free models on **Printables**, **Thingiverse**, and **MakerWorld**. Print, remix, and share.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Join the community" icon="users">
    3D printing has a huge, friendly online community. Forums, subreddits, and Discord servers are full of people happy to help troubleshoot.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep experimenting" icon="flask-conical">
    Try new filaments, dial in settings, and take on harder projects. Every print teaches you something.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Check>
  You completed the Advanced 3D Printing camp: you built, calibrated, and mastered a 3D printer, and designed, printed, and presented a capstone project. Congratulations!
</Check>

<Warning>
  Always operate your printer safely: never leave long prints fully unattended, keep the hot nozzle and bed away from skin, and print in a ventilated space. Enjoy your machine - you earned it.
</Warning>