Can 3D printers make a difference in the classroom?

The following appears on uk.news.yahoo.com

Education Secretary Michael Gove wants students in schools to get the chance to experiment with 3D printers in order to raise standards in subjects like science, technology and maths. The Government plans could see teachers trained in the use of the futuristic technology in order to pass their skills on to the next generation of scientists, mathematicians and designers.

These 3D printers will cost a small fortune and training teachers will also be expensive but the Government hopes the scheme will give young people more of the essential new skills that many employers are currently looking for in the workplace.

3D printing in practice

Over the past 12 months, 3D printing technology has seen a massive boom with a variety of industries benefitting from utilising it. 3D printers are likely to revolutionise the manufacturing industry particularly, with Gove arguing that ‘it is vital that we start teaching the theory and practice in our schools’ according to The Telegraph. Companies are turning to the technology in order to create prototypes of products and even for manufacturing the final products or the components needed for construction. 3D printing allows plastic to be crafted easily into almost endless possibilities of designs and the potential of the technology has even recently reached the high street. Retailers such as PC World and Currys are beginning to stock desk-top 3D printers but they currently cost over £1000.

3D printing in schools

With this cost and budgets so tight, it is a surprise to hear Gove talking of getting these expensive pieces of kit into schools. Nevertheless, that is what is happening with 21 pilot schools already using 3D printers in classrooms. The Telegraph reports that £500,000 is being set aside by the Department of Education in order to fund 3D printers for 60 schools and to finance the training of teachers to use the technology. The technology appears to have already been used effectively with school science departments able to construct models for biology lessons and components for rockets. 3D printers give teachers the opportunity to show students a concept or diagram in three dimensions and the students will acquire the necessary skills to use the emerging technology.