3D Printing The Impact in Education Carlie Wagner In schools throughout America, a revolution in education is taking place. Where kids once visualized their projects by making mockups with glue and poster board, today they can design their ideas in CAD software like Fusion 360, Autodesk 123D Design, or Autodesk Inventor, and then hold an actual working prototype in their hand - all thanks to the power of 3D printing. 3D printing is changing the way things are made. Today, you can find 3D printed parts in airplanes, 3D splints at the hospital, and 3D chocolate sculptures in an upscale bakery. This widespread adoption of the technology means that, regardless of what career trajectory today’s students are on, they are likely to work with 3D printing in some capacity. While career preparation is arguably one of the most important reasons to advocate for 3D printing in schools, there are a myriad of other benefits of 3D printing in education. • Engaging Learners - With 3D printing, teachers can bring lessons to life like never before. Are you learning about the Trojan War? Print out a Trojan Horse. Need help visualizing complex mathematical models? Print them out. Classroom aids include 3D prints of frog dissections, the skull of a sabretooth tiger, and models of the Supreme Court, creating an interactive, hands-on learning experience. • Understanding the Big Picture - Students get to participate in the design cycle from start to finish. By taking a design from the conceptual stage to an actual, working model, students become excited about engineering and design at a young age, potentially steering more students toward careers in STEM-related fields. By devising strategies to market and sell their designs, lessons can also include the principles of business and economics. • Problem Solving - A simple reality about 3D printing is that some designs don’t work and some prints fail. Part of the job of a good educator is turning these mistakes into a learning experience. When a print fails, students have the chance to revisit the design, figure out where it went wrong, and devise a strategy to tweak the design to correct the issue. This inspires creative problem solving and teaches students an important lesson about design - good design is often about hard- work, dedication, and perseverance. 4 • Boost Creativity - 3D design programs allow students to create forms that weren’t previously possible. These powerful capabilities let students explore their creativity like never before. www.cadlearning.com