GE Additive education
GE Additive has announced it is now accepting applications from schools and colleges for the 2018 cycle of its Additive Education Program (AEP).
The company pledged a $10m investment across five years into the AEP at formnext 2016. It consists of two segments: one focusing on polymer 3D printing at primary and secondary schools, and the other metal-based 3D printing at colleges and universities. Entering the second 12 months of the five-year scheme, GE Additive is now welcoming applications ahead of the February 28th deadline.
Last year was a great success, per GE Additive, with eight colleges and universities receiving direct metal laser melting (DMLM) machines, and more than 400 K-12 schools each receiving two Polar Cloud-enabled 3D printers with a STEM curriculum.
“It is estimated that 180,000 students worldwide now have access to 3D printers as a result of the Education Program,” says Jason Oliver, VP & CEO of GE Additive. “We are excited to continue the program in 2018 and give students across all grades exposure to additive manufacturing. This will help promote interest in STEM and create a pipeline of qualified engineers and technicians to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing.”
“GE’s AEP is already having a huge impact on student outcomes,” adds Greg LaLonde, CEO of Polar3D, which partners with GE Additive on the Program. “Eighty percent of the primary and secondary students in this inaugural class had never 3D printed before, and two-thirds had never used CAD. Now those same students are designing, programming and bringing their own digital models to life as printed objects.”
This year, the Program will include a program which allows any organisation or individual to apply for a subsidy to purchase Polar Cloud-enabled 3D printers and curricula on behalf of educational institutions. Interested parties can apply on the GE Additive website.
