One of the TCT Show’s most successful ventures has been its Bright Minds programme — bringing kids onto the show floor to see and experience the latest design and make technologies for themselves — and delivered in partnership with 3D Systems and Black County Atelier (BCA). The Bright Minds programme was originally developed by SME in the US for its Rapid Show, but has translated well within the UK. Now, Rapid News, the organizers of TCT are taking the programme to mainland Europe.
TCT, 3D Systems and BCA have just announced that they will further partner with DEMAT to bring Bright Minds to Euromold in Frankfurt at the end of November, giving more than 200 schoolchildren real hands-on experience with 3D design and 3D printing technology.
Bright Minds UK, which takes place in a few weeks, features a glass-walled classroom built in the heart of the exhibition. Throughout the event, hundreds of schoolchildren have the chance to use CAD and 3D printing technologies in a workshop setting under the supervision of BCA. This formula will now be replicated at Euromold with classroom sessions once again provided by BCA, with the equipment provided free-of-charge by 3D Systems. The EuroMold edition will also reportedly add 3D scanning, a haptic based 3D mouse and new 3D printers to the mix of 3D printing technologies for youngsters to explore.
Duncan Wood, Chief Operating Officer at Rapid News Communications Group, commented: “We think inspiring the next generation is important and the extension of this programme into Germany at EuroMold in partnership with our friends at DEMAT GmbH is extremely exciting.”
Jing Lu, Director at BCA, added: “We are excited to bring 3D printing education to EuroMold. 3D design innovation skills are vital to industries globally and we look forward to working with local schools and colleges.”
The programme is designed for secondary school students in Germany. Each session will last approximately two hours and will also give all participants entry to EuroMold 2014. German Schools wishing to participate should contact Jing Lu at BCA ([email protected]) or Frank Santo at DEMAT GmbH ([email protected]) to register their interest and discuss how they can get involved.
