3D printing has become a huge asset for many industries, but one industry in particular that we have seen majorly benefit from the positive impact of additive manufacturing is the education sector. Over time, educational institutions have been exposed to and given the opportunity to incorporate extensive new technologies into the classroom: computers, laptops, tablets, projectors, etc. The latest innovation that has transformed the learning process for many institutions are 3D printers. For those unaware of the impact 3D printing could have on your institution, continue reading to learn about how 3D printing can transform educational experiences and how our Ultimaker 3D printers could be the solution you have been looking for.

Adapting To A Virtual World:

For years, 3D printing has demonstrated the power to elevate learning experiences in the classroom, but amid the start of the pandemic, educators were forced to abandon their usual methods of teaching in order to adapt to a virtual classroom. Having the ability to attend school from home has had a major impact on student learning, and one of the main concerns for educators everywhere has been how to keep students engaged in an online environment with the absence of hands-on learning and in-person connections.

Due to the fact that desktop 3D printers don’t require a large group of personnel to run or complicated installation requirements, those institutions who had previously adopted 3D printing capabilities were able to continue utilizing them in the midst of evolving to an online learning environment. Prints could be sent to printers remotely, moved into individual classrooms to abide by social-distancing requirements, and on some occasions students could even take a 3D printer home with them.

Increasing Student Engagement:

The option to incorporate 3D printing into the learning environment is a game changer for student engagement, and for those institutions that incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning into their curriculum, 3D printing has become an absolute necessity. 3D printing can alter a recored lecture or powerpoint presentation and turn it into something tangible that students can engage with. Not only can educators 3D print teaching models and manipulatives, but students also have the ability to visualize their ideas and turn them into a physical reality.

A 2021 study conducted by MakerBot asked educators their reasons for adopting a 3D printer: the results show the top 3 reasons for adoption were 3D printing encourages creative thinking, develops problem-solving skills, and improves student engagement. Top applications within the classroom include student-designed prototypes for problem-based learning, downloading/designing 3D printed models for students to understand 3D printing processes, using 3D-printed parts related to specific lesson plans for higher student engagement, and creating customized 3D-printed parts to aid in STEM projects.

Easy To Use and Affordable:

For those educational institutions that were previously deterred from purchasing a 3D printer due to cost or usability, we have your solution. Major 3D printing advances have decreased the cost of technology while simultaneously increasing their capability and reliability. Institutions now have the ability to fill entire labs with ready-to-use 3D printers for less than just one printer would have cost a decade ago. Aside from financial barriers, previous 3D printing knowledge and experience requirements have dwindled, giving anyone capable of following basic instructions and troubleshooting the ability to operate a 3D printer without the need for a trained professional.

A great example of how easy it is for both students and educators to operate a 3D printer is TCAT Nashville continuing their mission of providing the utmost quality workforce development for Tennessee residents. The institution purchased an Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle from 3DOLOGiE to implement additive manufacturing courses into their programs and also offer specific associate level certifications that require educational training on FFF machinery. TCAT Nashville is now coming up on a year with their Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle and have found the system to be nothing but reliable and accurate as it has already been ran for hundreds of trouble free hours.

The Ultimaker 3D Printing Solution:

We understand that deciding whether or not to purchase a 3D printer for your institution is a big decision that considers many factors such as cost, reliability, low maintenance, ease of use, print quality, and 3D printing resources that cannot be overlooked. Would you believe us if we told you that our Ultimaker 3D printers meet all of the requirements discussed above? Ultimaker’s easy-to-use desktop 3D printers can save you time and money while delivering the quality results you need. Varying in build volume, price, and material handling, choose from the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, S5, S3, or 2+ Connect 3D printers and find the 3D printer that is right for your institution.

No matter the Ultimaker you decide on, we can guarantee that you will find your 3D printer to be reliable and easy-to-use. To make the process of adopting a 3D printer even easier, every Ultimaker 3D printer purchase comes with access to Ultimaker Academy that provides access to a library of expertly crafted online courses that help guide first-time users in how to operate Ultimaker machines.

Want more information on how 3D printing can transform your institution’s educational experience? Watch our webinar and download the Ultimaker white paper on 3D printing in the classroom:

3DOLOGiE Webinar | 3D Printing in the Classroom with Ultimaker   

Ultimaker White Paper | Getting Started with 3D Printing in the Classroom

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