Manufacturing a Healthy Future: 3D Printing for primary school teachers
'Manufacturing a Healthy Future' is a European project funded by EIT Manufacturing and brought to you by I-Form (University College Dublin); University of Tartu in Estonia; LINPRA in Lithuania, and; LMS (University of Patras) in Greece, and supported by industry partners including Stryker in Ireland. The project is now into its fourth year, since its establishment in 2021.
Teacher training programme
Are you curious about 3D printing? Would you like to explore a fun and challenging way to bring STEM and manufacturing into your classroom?
The 'Manufacturing a Healthy Future' project offers primary school teachers a comprehensive training course in 3D design and 3D printing. After the course, teachers are invited to run a sustainability-themed 3D printing challenge in the classroom, with support from local partners. No previous experience is necessary. The project is best suited to teachers of 2nd class up to 6th class. (See learning objectives below.)
Participating teachers who are committed to running the classroom challenge will be provided with access to a 3D printer for their school.
Unfortunately, EPV days are not available for this course
Dates & location
Details have been confirmed for the first training course in 2024:
- 3-day course in Limerick, from Wednesday 10th to Friday 12th of July, hosted by Stryker
Project partners are also currently working on details for additional training sessions for the 2024 program - more information will be posted on this site once available. It is anticipated that further training sessions will take place in Summer/Autumn 2024.
How to apply
***Applications for the Limerick training course are currently open - APPLY HERE***
Applications will open shortly for training courses in other locations - check back here again soon for more details!
For any questions, please contact Michael at michael.golden@i-form.ie
Learning objectives of the project
After the 3D printing training course, teachers have:
- Learned about the different components that make up a 3D printer
- Learned how to calibrate, troubleshoot, maintain and be safe with a 3D printer
- Experienced the Design Thinking process and learned how to implement it in the classroom
- Hands-on experience using design software and printing in 3D
- Learned about different printing filaments and their application
- Explored 3D design lesson plans designed for primary education settings
- Been invited to run a ‘sustainability challenge’ in the classroom, with support from industry and research partners
- Been invited to explore curriculum links for 3D printing
Previous participants said:
“I was nervous at first, but the step-by-step instructions, in a supportive environment, gave me the confidence to get up and running with this exciting technology.”
“The possibilities for the children are endless – it’s important to introduce them to the technologies they could be working with in the future, and to give them an enjoyable, self-directed experience.”
“The trainer and the I-Form and Stryker teams were so supportive and always available to answer any questions and help us on our 3D printing journey.”
Success to date
3D printing (known in the industry as additive manufacturing) is a key enabling technology of 'Industry 4.0' – a term used to signify the new era of industrial production, encompassing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and the Internet of Things. ‘Manufacturing a Healthy Future’ is an innovative project which recognises that teachers are key influencers of the next generation but sometimes lack access to information and technology around the newest areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and manufacturing.
After three years of the project, highlights to date include:
- 212 primary school teachers across five countries have been trained on how to design and print using a 3D printer.
- >4,500 primary school children across five countries have been involved the project.
- In Ireland, 67 teachers and >1,300 pupils have taken part in the program.
Check out the Irish winners of the 2022 Sustainability Challenge (news story and videos)
Download the European 2021 Winners booklet for the 2021 Health Challenge (PDF)