FETC 2017 Coverage

MakerBot Launches Educator Community to Encourage 3D Printing in Classrooms

• By Sri Ravipati
• 01/26/17

At the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) taking place this week in Orlando, FL, MakerBot unveiled a new community of educators that aims to empower K–12 educators to use 3D printing in classrooms.   

The MakerBot Educators Program was established “to find and celebrate the incredible achievements of students, teachers and institutions using 3D printing across the globe,” as well as identify new uses for 3D printers in K–12 education, according to a MakerBot blog post announcement. Upon joining the community, MakerBot will provide members with a welcome kit that includes MakerBot gear (as pictured). Educators will also have a chance to win prizes like MakerBot PLA filament each month.

Eligible candidates must have contributed at least two project ideas to Thingiverse Education, a collection of more than 100 3D printing lesson plans for various grade levels. Candidates must also have access to a registered MakerBot device.

“Being part of the MakerBot Educator community allows me to be part of a network of teachers who see the same benefits of the technology and who I can learn from and share ideas with,” said Brian Mernoff, a teacher participating in the program, in the blog post.

MakerBot works to make 3D printing affordable, ever since its first 3D printer, Cupcake CNC, launched in 2009. More recently, the company introduced the first WiFi connected desktop 3D printer in 2014, according to the MakerBot website. Last year, the company released several new 3D printers and launched the Thingiverse Education platform.

MakerBot is exhibiting in booth 2316 at FETC this week.