Next-generation technology
St. Mary students become inventors with 3D printing program
![Students in the Rendering II class at St. Mary's Catholic School have access to 3D printers, allowing them to to build and create prototypes as they learn the technology. Pictured are eighth-graders (from left) Nathan Nichols, Olivia Frelke, Holland Putney and Evan Arthur. [Sarah Ann Craven/For the StarNews]](/gcdn/authoring/2018/01/21/NSTN/ghows-NC-628336a9-ddbb-0ce2-e053-0100007ffb2c-003bf55e.jpeg?width=660&height=505&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
WILMINGTON -- St. Mary Catholic School was one of 400 schools in the nation that received a “3D Printing Package” from the GE Additive Education Program. Within the package there are two 3D printers, 12 rolls of filament, Polar Cloud Membership, STEAMtrax Kit, and Polar Farm Access.
The new technology is an exciting step for St. Mary Catholic School. Incorporating 3D printing into the curriculum of elementary and middle school students helps to launch them into their 21st century careers.
The school is extremely excited about the opportunities the technology opens up for their students, and is pleased with how much the students enjoy the 3D printers in their computer lab.
“We’ve been really trying to advance the technology program for our students,” said Tom Hogan, the school’s head of IT and Media Center. “We’re taking what they have created and drawn and making it something real and tangible.”
The students are given problems and asked to design solutions using computer aided design (CAD) software. Once the solution is found, the students use the 3D printer to print a prototype. Learning how to use programs such as this can help students get a head start in fields like engineering, physics, and even art.
“It pushes their math and science skills, and even moves into the art side,” said Math 2 teacher Charlie Hite. “Artistic students really tend to pick up the software quickly as a creative outlet.”
Students are excited about having the 3D package incorporated into their curriculum. Students at St. Mary School start out in Rendering I to learn the basics of the software, and then move forward into Rendering II, where they can apply their knowledge more independently.
Different prototypes the students have been working on include bookmarks, Christmas ornaments, trains, and even a rocket ship. Creating prototypes turns students into inventors, because all of their work is custom and original.
“I like that you get a real-life finished project for what you've created on the computer,” said eighth-grade student Olivia Frelke. “With the new printers you can get a full view of what you’re creating and be able to see it exactly.”
It takes the kids anywhere from one to a few class periods to complete an assignment. Having this CAD and 3D printing knowledge gives these students a competitive edge as they move further into their education at the high school and college level.
“It’s great we have this program because it prepares us if we want to continue in areas like engineering later on as a career,” said Nathan Nichols, an eighth-grader.
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