Taiwanese 3D printer manufacturer XYZprinting has announced the launch of a new bundle program for teachers and schools, where a free 3D printer will be delivered alongside purchases of its K-12 STEAM curriculum. The bundle program is a part of a bid from XYZprinting to facilitate the use of 3D printers in the classroom, investing in and encouraging the educational market to purchase its 3D printing STEAM curriculum.
Gina Thackrey, STEM teacher and Innovative Educational Program Specialist from San Diego, CA, commented, “The XYZprinting STEAM curriculum allows students to explore 3D printing and apply science concepts in an engaging, innovative, and futuristic way.”
“Bringing 3D printing into your classroom has never been easier or more affordable. My students have loved the opportunity to bring their ideas to life, create unique prototypes, and practice skills that prepare them for their future.”
Introducing 3D printing to the classroom
The XYZprinting online 3D printing STEAM curriculum is made up of 40 different lesson plans covering the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) subjects, aligned with the K-12 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These lesson plans are divided into three categories for K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 grade students. Teachers will gain unlimited access to each plan purchase for one year, with K-5 and 6-8 grade plans priced at $250, and plans for grades 9-12 costing $500 each.
As part of the bundle program, for every $500 spent in purchases across the XYZprinting STEAM curriculum, teachers and schools will receive a 3D printer of equivalent value. K-5 schools will receive the XYZprinting da Vinci Jr 1.0, whereas grade 6-8 and 9-12 schools will receive the da Vinci 1.1 Plus. Both 3D printers are valued at $499.95. The bundle can be purchased through October on the XYZprinting STEAM website.
3D printing in the STEM/STEAM curriculum
XYZprinting’s online curriculum is designed to be adaptable to different class environments, and comes equipped with step-by-step instructions for teachers to help provide engaging STEAM-based lessons with a 3D printer. Schools also have access to free software resources from XYZmaker for the teachers and students to use in conjunction with the 3D printers and teachers can also upload and share 3D printing projects on XYZprinting’s Free Projects page.
As well as XYZprinting’s 3D printing STEAM curriculum, various other initiatives have been established to help schools realize the potential 3D printing technology in education.
UK based 3D printing curriculum developer PrintLab was founded in 2016 to “support the growth of 3D technologies in education by growing an ecosystem of products and resources.” The PrintLab Classroom curriculum aims to educate students in 3D printing, in order to boost interest in science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM) based careers.
Furthermore, award-winning OEM GE Additive also runs its Additive Education Program (AEP), which provides STEM/STEAM focused primary and secondary schools with desktop 3D printers and packages.
With 3D printing companies looking to push the technology to schools, in turn education systems are making an effort to incorporate 3D printing in the STEM curriculum. The positive impact of 3D printing technology in education is backed by a study conducted at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, which showed that 3D printing improved design thinking skills for students in primary schools.
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Featured image shows a 3D printed education tool from XYZprinting. Screenshot via XYZprinting.
