GE Additive
GE Additive will distribute more than 600 polymer 3D printing packages to schools in 30 different countries in September.
GE Additive has announced more than 600 primary and secondary schools around the world are to receive polymer 3D printing packages, consisting of hardware, software and a STEAM-focused curriculum.
Teachers are now increasingly implementing 3D printing into lessons to enhance the pupils' learning experience. As GE Additive Education Program gathers momentum globally, hundreds have had the opportunity to receive polymer 3D printing packages. It follows the commitment made by GE Additive back in 2016, which saw the company pledge a $10m investment in education just weeks after it's founding as business.
This development in that commitment will benefit more than 400,000 K-12 students in 30 countries. The packages will be delivered by 30 September 2018.
Via an online platform, the Polar Cloud, the program aims to build an ecosystem for 3D printing in education. Over 3,000 primary and secondary schools from various different countries applied to participate in the programme, which shows significant year-on-year increase according to GE. The top five countries represented this year are the United States, Australia, Canada, Spain and the Republic of Ireland.
“Additive’s time is now. It is already transforming how we design, engineer and manufacture complex and everyday items. But we have to keep an eye on the future and ensure we have enough engineers, coders and materials scientists coming through the education system to fulfil the potential of additive manufacturing,” said Jason Oliver, President & CEO, GE Additive.
Packages delivered in September include a Polar Cloud premium account, a Dremel Digilab 3D45 polymer 3D printer, six rolls of replacement filament, STEAM curriculum and lesson plans. In previous years, the schools have carried out detailed analysis for science fairs, and some have organised maker fairs to create and sell gifts to fundraise for community projects.
GE Additive had made a commitment over a five-year period to invest in educational programmes to deliver polymer 3D printers to primary, secondary schools and metal 3D printers to colleges and universities around the world. Later this month, colleges and universities will be awarded metal additive manufacturing systems as part of the AEP.
