Technology can be a nebulous term for those outside Silicon Valley, New York, or Los Angeles, but some educational initiatives are hoping to change that. Many jobs requiring specialized skills from employees did not exist before the aughts. It goes to reason that technology will continue to advance, leaving an opportunity for proactive programs to educate children who will be of college age in 10-15 years.
Even after three decades, 3D printing is not a household name but with a number of companies accomplishing amazing things, like constructing prosthetic limbs for children, 3D printing’s visibility has expanded worldwide.
Says Roy Keidar of XLN, which promotes digital fabrication in Israel, “We have no doubt that within less than a decade 3D printing will be used in one way or another in almost every school, college or university.”
But in order for 3D printing to become part of school curriculums, programs may have to bring the tech to the schools to successfully integrate the two. These three leading initiatives are paving the way.
MAKE.DIGITAL
This 3D systems project provides desktop 3D printers, printing materials and educational resources to teachers and schools worldwide. Educating administrators, teachers and nonprofit organizations about 3D printing and providing tools to apply those lessons puts educators in a position to teach students technology, arts, and engineering.
MakerBot Academy
A recent survey of teachers commissioned by the company [MakerBot] found that, "83 percent of teachers using MakerBot 3D printers empowered their students to design their own objects as opposed to having them print existing designs.”
Sponsored by the White House and America Makes, MakerBot Academy contributes to the distribution and donation of 3D printing bundles, in association with crowdfunding org DonorsChoose.org. By providing materials to schools who cannot afford the equipment or education, MakerBot states that 1000 schools and over 300,000 children now have access to 3D printers.
Tinkerine U
Our neighbors in the north also recognize the importance of teaching technology to younger generations to prepare them for the ever-changing, fast-paced landscape of technology.
Top Canadian 3D printer manufacturer Tinkerine’s educational project provides schools with packages that include a desktop 3D printer, teacher training manuals, online lesson plans and courses. Their website states that the program “[...] delivers highly targeted and unique online 3D printing focused educational content designed to give teachers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) courses, a detailed curriculum to introduce students to designing, prototyping, and manufacturing using 3D printing technology.”
As technology advances at neck-breaking speeds, 3D printing may soon become integrated within the educational vernacular. To be sure, upcoming technologies yet to be invented will continue to challenge the educational system to keep up.
Even after three decades, 3D printing is not a household name but with a number of companies accomplishing amazing things, like constructing prosthetic limbs for children, 3D printing’s visibility has expanded worldwide.
Says Roy Keidar of XLN, which promotes digital fabrication in Israel, “We have no doubt that within less than a decade 3D printing will be used in one way or another in almost every school, college or university.”
But in order for 3D printing to become part of school curriculums, programs may have to bring the tech to the schools to successfully integrate the two. These three leading initiatives are paving the way.
MAKE.DIGITAL
This 3D systems project provides desktop 3D printers, printing materials and educational resources to teachers and schools worldwide. Educating administrators, teachers and nonprofit organizations about 3D printing and providing tools to apply those lessons puts educators in a position to teach students technology, arts, and engineering.
MakerBot Academy
A recent survey of teachers commissioned by the company [MakerBot] found that, "83 percent of teachers using MakerBot 3D printers empowered their students to design their own objects as opposed to having them print existing designs.”
Sponsored by the White House and America Makes, MakerBot Academy contributes to the distribution and donation of 3D printing bundles, in association with crowdfunding org DonorsChoose.org. By providing materials to schools who cannot afford the equipment or education, MakerBot states that 1000 schools and over 300,000 children now have access to 3D printers.
Tinkerine U
Our neighbors in the north also recognize the importance of teaching technology to younger generations to prepare them for the ever-changing, fast-paced landscape of technology.
Top Canadian 3D printer manufacturer Tinkerine’s educational project provides schools with packages that include a desktop 3D printer, teacher training manuals, online lesson plans and courses. Their website states that the program “[...] delivers highly targeted and unique online 3D printing focused educational content designed to give teachers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) courses, a detailed curriculum to introduce students to designing, prototyping, and manufacturing using 3D printing technology.”
As technology advances at neck-breaking speeds, 3D printing may soon become integrated within the educational vernacular. To be sure, upcoming technologies yet to be invented will continue to challenge the educational system to keep up.