Bright Minds
On the back of an outstanding 2013 programme, TCT Bright Minds UK will return for the September 2014 edition of TCT Show + Personalize, the leading 3D printing show.
Building on a successful format that TCT has been running for many years, TCT Bright Minds UK 2013 saw a glass-walled classroom set up in the heart of the exhibition. Over two days more than 300 schoolchildren had the chance to get their hands on CAD and 3D printing technologies in a dynamic workshop setting. Black Country Atelier (BCA) ran the classroom sessions with the equipment being provided free of charge by 3D Systems. For 2014, the classroom is being expanded to accommodate 500 students and the range of technologies covered will increase to include 3D scanning, a haptic based 3D mouse and the new Cube and CubePro printers.
As 3D printing becomes an increasingly popular tool for teaching STEM-related subjects, this year's Bright Minds incorporates a course developed by Black Country Atelier which reflects the new national Programme of Study. Pupils will be able to apply real world design and manufacture thinking into their work using a range of technologies that reflect the importance of an integrated set of tools in the classroom and an ecosystem that includes not only technology, but teacher training and the new curriculum.
Duncan Wood, Chief Operating Officer at Rapid News Communications Group, commented: "The TCT Bright Minds UK programme came of age last year, with hundreds of excited participants getting a real hands-on experience of the technologies that TCT Show + Personalize specialises in. I can't thank our partners enough for their contribution to the initiative and they have enabled us as a group to have a tangible impact on a wide number of students as evidenced by the feedback post-programme. We are delighted to be able to work together with both BCA and 3D Systems again and continue to inspire the next generation of designers and engineers. Thanks should also go to Kathryn James and the NEC team for their support on this initiative for 2014."
Jing Lu, Director at BCA, added: "3D printing is becoming an essential part of schools' technology offering and we're excited to work with partners who are as passionate about education as we are. We want to make sure pupils can gain the design and manufacturing skills of the future and we are delighted to announce that, as part of Bright Minds 2014, we will offer participating pupils a route to our industry-recognised 3D printing Awards and Certificates, helping students progress and capture new opportunities."
Cathy Lewis, Chief Marketing Officer of 3D Systems, stated: "We are excited to partner once again with Rapid News, the TCT Show and BCA on this powerful education initiative. We are committed to bringing 21st century tools, programmes and technologies to students and schools across the globe and are delighted that the UK remains at the forefront of 3D education."
The programme is designed for students in Secondary School education in the UK. Each session will last approximately two hours and will also give participants entry to TCT Show + Personalize. Industry-led tours of the TCT Show + Personalize can also be arranged. Schools within the UK wishing to participate should contact Jing Lu (info@blackcountryatelier.com) to register their interest and discuss how they can get involved. The places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
TCT Bright Minds UK will take place within TCT Show + Personalize, September 30th - October 2nd 2014, Hall 3a, NEC, Birmingham, UK.
