Importance of 3D Printing Education
We’re all working towards the same goal: the collective enlightenment of mankind. We might contribute to this directly or indirectly, but we all do.
Quoting Elon Musk “if we can advance the Knowledge of the world, if we can expand the scope and scale of consciousness, then, we’re better able to ask the right questions and become more enlightened. That’s the only way to move forward.”
Education is one of the powerful tools that drives knowledge. Therefore, within the domain of education, we need even more powerful tools. Tools that drive our curiosity and creativity.
Now imagine a magical technology that has the power to revolutionise practically anything and everything around you. A technology that can
- make better rockets and satellites to explore the universe
- develop synthetic human heart and organs to save lives
- make prosthetics and dental aligners to improve healthcare
- build houses faster and cheaper, possibly even in space
- make custom-fit motorbike helmet to reduce impact damage
- customised clothing, shoes and consumer products
- manufacture face-shields to fight a pandemic
- help NASA manufacture a critical component on the ISS
- enable maintenance and repair of defence aircrafts
- develop light-weight surveillance drones
- Even enable us to make things at home!
The list is never ending but the technology is common: 3D Printing. Now, why should such a technology be a part of our education? You have the answer.
For a school student, it sparks imagination and creativity. Concepts such as Problem Solving, Product Development, Design Thinking – that are usually taught at the university level can now be introduced at the school level.
As an example, here’s a shoe model 3D printed by a Curiosity3D student. He’s in 6th grade and aspires to be a design engineer. At just 13 years of age, he’s not playing with thermocol or cardboard but in fact has the knowledge of how to make a product exactly to his imagination with 3D printing.
For university students, it solves the biggest problem of our current education system- curriculum is focussed more on theory and less on practical hands-on experience. We encourage exams over experimental learning. 3D printing is an affordable and accessible tool that gives them the power to convert their ideas into real projects. Even from their own rooms!
As an example, this prosthetic hand was designed and developed by our Curiosity3D student who’s pursuing an engineering degree. Such learnings build a curious mindset and will prepare them for jobs in the Industry 4.0 future.
For industry professionals and companies, it enables the development of revolutionary products and services such as the long list we discussed above. Companies are essentially a group of people working towards a common goal. Combined with cutting-edge skills like 3D Printing, even startups can reach those goals quicker than legacy companies.
As an example, Agnikul Cosmos, an Indian startup has developed and fired the world’s first fully 3D-printed rocket engine.
And for all of us collectively, 3D Printing drives innovation and curiosity.
For all who are curious to learn 3D Printing, now is the perfect time. 3D Printing is already changing the world and you can be a part of it.
