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Level Up Village and 3D Systems
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Level Up Village and 3D Systems
3D printing industry leader 3D Systems has joined forces with Level Up Village (LUV) to provide schoolchildren with digital literacy and 3D printing skills.
The scheme is aimed at pupils aged between eight and 12, with a focus on the STEM subjects. It consists of after-school classes that empower youngsters to be international mover-shakers.
LUV offers a range of in-class and extra-curricular classes that help children relate to both global and local STEM applications. When students take a class in the US, that class is given to a student living on $2 or less a day at a LUV partner school in developing countries such as Peru, Haiti, Uganda, Mali, India, Pakistan, Rwanda and many others.
Level Up Village is 3D Systems' newest partner in its new MAKE.DIGITAL education initiative, an online hub that serves as a catalyst for innovation and technology initiative, where educators can access 3D printing resources, curriculums, product bundles and trainings for the classroom.
The Global Inventors in Training package for schools includes a 3D Systems' Cube 3D printer, a cartridge, Cubify Invent Software and Global Inventors in Training After-School Class for eight students, a comprehensive teacher training and ongoing curriculum to allow students to have a real learning exchange in the United States and globally. LUV provides economic incentives for teachers to receive training and is expected to reach over 120 schools in the US and 30 global partner schools in 2014.
In a small group setting of eight students, kids will learn how to harness the engineering design process to create innovative solutions to real life global issues. Through video conferencing, each week students discuss the real life application of their learning, teach one another and gain a broader perspective of what it means to be an empathetic, effective global citizen.
Abdullah Syed, a teacher in Pakistan at the Society for International Education, said: "The only way we can prepare children for tomorrow is to teach them how to think in both global and local contexts and enable them to innovate and adapt to changes. I think Level Up Village is doing a wonderful job at this and the programme is helping us instill all these skills into our students, preparing them to be better future leaders."
"Working with young students and 3D printing is exciting," added Dr Kevin Merges, Director of the Innovation Center at Rutgers Preparatory School. "The students are exposed to new ways of thinking about objects. Many students are familiar with virtual games that simulate 3D environments in the planar environment of a screen. Now the students are able to create images that are visualised. We are able to demonstrate advanced calculus ideas of volume created with thin slices, but not tell the students that is what is being done.
"The ability to consider the work of students on the other side of the planet is extremely valuable as we build global awareness in students everywhere."
Educators can sign up directly for Level Up Village's training programmes and packages today and 3D Systems invites teachers, educators, non-profit companies and organisations passionate about youth education to join the MAKE.DIGITAL initiative and provide students with tomorrow’s skills today.
