3D Printers

Afinia debuts Project-Based 3D Printing Kits for STEM Ed

• By Michael Hart
• 10/17/16

Afinia 3D now has a line of 10 3D printing kits designed to enhance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in K-12 learning.

The 3D Printing Project-Based Learning STEM Kits range in price from $19.99, for a kit with which a student can make a solar-based battery charger, to $299 for a kit that provides everything to create a robot arm.

Discounts are available for volume purchases as well from both Afinia and educational resellers. While single kits include a student workbook, larger purchases (in packs of 6, 12 or 30) include student workbooks for each kit and a single teacher guide.

"Our project-based learning STEM kits will allow educators to take their curricula to the next level by reinforcing their existing concepts via 3D printing," said Afinia 3D Vice President John Westrum.

Other items that students can make with the kits include:

• A variety of remote-controlled self-balancing robots;
• Nightlights;
• Heart rate monitors;
• A mini-boom box;
• A digital clock; and
• Demolition Derby toy racecars.

"Educators realize that students learn by a number of means, including visually and kinesthetically," Westrum continued. "Reaching the visual and kinesthetic learners can be challenging, especially when teaching math or science. Hands-on learning can really engage students who may be having a difficult time grasping concepts. Our STEM kits allow educators to bridge the gap for those students and increase their success."

Afinia has been making 3D printers since 2012, but this is the first time it has introduced a series of kits strictly for educational purposes.