Educating the future

I am strongly of the opinion that 3D printing will only become mainstream after it becomes a part of the school curriculum and kids grow up learning how to design for additive manufacture.

Our 9 year old wants to move into his own bedroom and he was amazed when I turned to sketchup make  to model his new room and furniture. He watched as we moved his bed and wardrobe and gear around, trying out different positions and orientations without lifting a finger (expect slightly off the mouse). But, you know, it was not the technology that amazed him really, it was that he figured out he could just as easily replicate the whole process in Minecraft!

At DimensionAlley we enjoy getting kids started down the route to design thinking. On Friday afternoons we run a 3D printing license course. We use a great tool called Tinkercad to create the license itself and then week-by-week they can build on their own designs and print them at the store. Tinkercad runs in a browser (we like google chrome or firefox) so you don’t need to download any software. We created a lot of keyring templates to customise because sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. Prices are €25 for the license and then €20 for further sessions.

Schools and kindergartens can also benefit from a morning or afternoon visit to DimensionAlley. We run introduction to design and printing classes for up to 10 children at a time. Our youngest printer kids where just 5 years old.

First vocational school in Berlin

During 2015 we worked closely together with 2 very inspirational characters, Henning and Klaus who were really driven to introduce 3D printing into their course at the Marcel Breuer School. Young adults are given a vocational Training to exam level in a trade such as carpentry, wood mechanic or glassier. We were able to support the innovative teachers in learning the nitty-gritty of slicing, printer maintenance and making a good design for successful 3D printing. Since the summer 2105 there has been a Sharebot  printer at the school and the first lessons started in December. Congratulations to Henning and Klaus, we think this is the first case in Berlin.

We can help your school

So, here is our call to action to young people and teachers alike. Why not get 3D printing into your school? We can support you so that an investment in a printer can bring real joy and adventure. Contact us or give us a call the make an appointment on 030 68008725.

For inspiration have a look at this gallery