Recently, Bill Gates had announced a plan to invest about $1.7 billion into reforming the US public education system. 25% of this amount would be used in developing and fostering innovations that enhance the learning techniques in elementary and high schools.

3D printing technology has completely revolutionized education making learning so much simpler and quicker than the yesteryears.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing has been around for over 3 decades now and has only recently become a part of school-level learning. The technology is in some ways very much like ordinary printing, only that the image would not be displayed on a 2-dimensional paper but in 3D using plastic, metal or ceramic. The printer basically stacks multiple layers of solid material eventually forming a 3D object that you can hold in your hands. Kids can now not only see but also feel the object they print. A very cost effective and time-saving technique, 3D printing also helps eliminate waste by recycling the paper and plastic that would otherwise have been thrown away.

How does It work?

Kids these days are pretty tech-savvy, your child probably knows more about technology than you! Also, school projects these days are a lot more complicated than our times. Simply jotting down some facts and sticking some colorful pictures won’t do. Today, students have to create 3D models, have in-depth reports and state credible studies in their project. This is where 3D printing comes in handy. Kids can explore the 3D objects and understand them better than just look at a pictorial representation of the same concept. For instance, a child who struggles with Newtonian calculus or differential equations might find some insights into a 3D model that provides a practical application of these principles.

The Future of 3D Printing

Technology has always strived hard to upgrade our life and make it a lot easier than it was. 3D printing might be one of the biggest breakthroughs that have not only reinvented education but also changed many other sectors for the better. 3D printers are used in healthcare, in engineering, in architecture and even aerospace. This technology also opens up unlimited possibilities for artists, fashion designers, architects, teachers and automobile engineers who want to personalize objects to their liking. With these devices, you can create and customise any object in 3D and put it up for display. How cool is that!