Technology has made quantum leaps in the field of education. From learning at a single-room school to surfing for any information with a few clicks, technology has helped make education and learning increasingly engrossing for students. 

An emerging technology in the field of education is three-dimensional (3D) printing, which, when blended with the regular classroom curriculum, has the power to inspire creativity and hone analytical and problem-solving skills in children.

Before diving deeper into the possibilities that 3D printing can offer in the world of education, let’s first understand what the technology is.

How is 3D printing different from traditional manufacturing?

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process that employs 3D printing software to make 3D objects from a digital file. Contrary to subtractive or traditional manufacturing, which involves carving out a piece of plastic or metal with a machine, 3D printing produces complex shapes by depositing materials, layer by layer.

Integration of 3D printing in the STEM curriculum

The incorporation of 3D printing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses allows students to turn their innovative and complex ideas into reality. It allows students with a greater understanding of the design process through hands-on experience, from conception to creation.

With first-hand training on 3D printers, students can assume ownership of the development of the 3D design and innovate using their skills in computer-aided design (CAD), robotics, and engineering. They may build prototypes of objects that often can show movement, rotation, or can light up. Schools and universities that have tie-up with local-area businesses can provide students with opportunities to develop practical skills across different industries, including advanced manufacturing, engineering, computer science, and healthcare.

New innovations in the field of 3D printing are opening up new horizons not only for tech students but also for students across diverse disciplines. This can be attributed to the increased access and adoption of this technology by the education sector.

Segmentation and analysis of 3D printing software users on G2

The chart above represents the regions from which reviews have poured in for products listed under the 3D Printing software category on G2. More than half of the 3D printing software buyers are based out of the Americas, followed by the Asia Pacific and, subsequently, EMEA. 

Americas occupying the larger portion of the pie can be attributed to the region’s early development of additive manufacturing technology. The majority of key vendors in the 3D printing domain are based out of this region, which also has the highest number of patents for this technology. 

For instance, Margaret Kingsport, director of innovative family services, Fayetteville Free Library, said that public libraries in the US permit children in the 9 to 18 years age group to operate the 3D printers. There are also after-school programs to help children learn how to print objects in 3D in exchange for a minimal amount which is charged based on the amount of plastic material used for printing. 

School children typically print models from video games and cartoon characters. Tutorials for printing such objects are available online. Once familiar with the process, they can dive deeper into the technology to learn graphic designing and coding, enhancing their mathematical and spatial learning skills and improving their literacy in computers and information technology.

The incorporation of 3D printers at the public library is reinventing present-day libraries as innovative centers for learning. Kingsport believes that 3D printing at libraries is a trend that will grow until every library houses at least one 3D printer.

The G2 Grid® provides a look into the top vendors in the 3D Printing Software category based on reviews gathered from our user community, as well as data aggregated from online sources and social networks. Fusion 360, Solid Edge, SOLIDWORKS, Tinkercad, Onshape, Blender, and Ultimaker Cura are the Leaders on the G2 Grid® for 3D Printing Software based on real-user reviews.

Way ahead

Compared to conventional manufacturing processes, 3D printing plays a critical role in producing objects which are lighter in weight and involve less material wastage, thereby providing a competitive edge to industry leaders and streamlining the production processes.

With the pricing structure of 3D printers becoming more competitive over the years to suit the growing requirements of various sectors, 3D printing technology is often labeled as the next industrial revolution.

Adoption of 3D printing in education will continue to grow due to the increasing number of products and services focused on teachers and students, the availability of cost-effective and easy-to-use printers, training and certification programs, and access to online 3D printing resources. There is no denying that 3D printing will continue to add value when combined with classroom learning, allowing students to bring their ideas to life.

Edited by Sinchana Mistry