According the results of the project E3D+, the 3D printing (or additive manufacturing) is aimed to play a critical role in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), 3D printing is transforming how users learn by offering a hands-on experience that inspires them to pay attention to details, get more creative and see the physical realization of their work. Getting users to make a further step in 3D printing can ultimately inspire them to take the incremental steps that often lead them to become the one to invent the “next big thing”, since they are challenged to think more deeply / differently. “3D Printing’s Role in Shaping the Future is increasing very fast! More appropriate and adequate training of users is needed” On the other side, unfortunately, broad adoption is often stifled due to 3D printers being too difficult to use, without insufficient educational & learning & training support at present time. The situation is becoming slightly better as a community of different level educators, VET programmes offers, etc. is rising. As new 3D printing technologies, materials and designing potentials rapidly arise, there is also a need for a qualitative upgrade and keeping consistent and adequate level of educational support (together with the help of available ICT tools). Furthermore, according the results of project results "3D printers in schools: uses in the curriculum" of the "The Department for Education (DfE) from UK", the use of 3D printing in schools heightened the interest of pupils with poor concentration in different subjects like mathematics and improved their desire to learn. They see tangible results more quickly and as a result they kept interest in the lesson. The main objective of this project is to train teachers non-computer design (CAD) skilled in VET centres with the aim of using 3D printing across almost of all the subjects. The use of this technology in VET schools will improve educational transversal skills of the students. Furthermore, it aims to enhance the concentration of students with Attention Deficit Disorder. At mid-term, it will feed an industry that is in high growth with future professionals, students natives of this fascinating technology. Our project team is composed by 6 partners from 4 countries composed by organizations with different profiles: 3D printing experts close to the academic and business sector, an international network of VET centres, one expert authority in training teachers and one web developer. To achieve the goals of the project, the consortium has defined the following intellectual outputs: - Methodology for defining 3D printing exercises suitable for transversal education. - Set of 3D printing exercises for VET-school lessons in different subjects improving skills of students - Networking community tool for teachers using 3D printing that will contain the set of exercises - Report and tools for immersion of 3D printing in European education and training - Set of webinars about the use of 3D printing in VET E3D+VET tool aims to be a sustainable open tool to support the teachers in educating students in 3D printing and different subjects using the 3D printing. It’ll also provide the teachers the necessary guides and tools to feed the software application in the future with own exercises and will make the educational centres do not necessary depend on their own 3D printers machines by using 3rd party services. The project will also take advantage of different face to face workshops to improve the intellectual outputs of the project.
3D printing is playing a very important role in the new industrial revolution "Industry 4.0 or connected industry", and its presence is increasing every day in more sectors such as industry and education. Therefore, equipping teachers and students with knowledge about the use and benefits of this technology is very important to prepare them for the near future. The main objective of this project is to train teachers non-computer design (CAD) skilled in VET centres, with the aim of using 3D printing across almost of all the subjects. The use of this technology in VET schools will improve educational transversal skills of the students. Furthermore, it aims to enhance the concentration of students with Attention Deficit Disorder. At mid-term, it will feed an industry that is in high growth with future professionals, students natives of this fascinating technology. Our project team is composed by 6 partners from 4 countries composed by organizations with different profiles: 3D printing experts close to the academic and business sector, an international network of VET centres, one expert authority in training teachers and one web developer. To achieve the goals of the project, the consortium worked on the following intellectual outputs: IO1: Methodology for defining 3D printing exercises suitable for transversal education. IO2: Set of 3D printing exercises for VET-school lessons in different subjects improving skills of students. IO3: Networking community tool for teachers using 3D printing that will contain the set of exercises. IO4: Report and tools for immersion of 3D printing in European education and training IO5: Set of webinars about the use of 3D printing in VET. In addition, four multiplier events were held in Germany, Spain, Italy and Slovenia. The results provide the user with the opportunity to start from scratch by training in 3D printing with the guides developed in the first Intellectual Output, as well as being able to create exercises themselves to be used in the classroom with the help of the methodology developed. There are 34 exercises available on the E3D+VET platform, consisting of 60 ready-to-use 3D models. The platform is not a simple repository of 3D models. For each of the exercises, in addition to the technical-graphical description and the STL files, there is a description of how to use these designs in a class and the benefits that the student can obtain. The E3D+VET platform also has a list of suppliers (fablabs, 3D printing service companies...) so that users who do not have sufficient resources, such as knowledge of 3D design or 3D printers, can take advantage of their ideas. Also noteworthy is the gamification of the platform, which provides the user with motivation and interest both in sharing their exercises and in using those available on the platform, as well as creating their own list of favourite models and exercises, thus giving them more visibility. The mobile application provides versatility and dynamism since the exercises and models can be accessed through a single click on the mobile. All the information on the platform can be accessed through it, making it possible to access the results at any time and in any place. All E3D+VET results are translated into 5 languages and available for use: • 3D Printing technical guide. • Methodology for defining 3D printing exercises suitable for transversal education. • Reports and tools (training materials and videos) for immersion of 3D printing in European education and training. Download link: https://www.e3dplusvet.eu/#publications • Set of 3 webinars about the use of 3D printing in VET. Videos available here: https://www.e3dplusvet.eu/news/ • Set of 34 3D printing exercises for VET-school lessons in different subjects improving skills of students. • Networking community tool for teachers using 3D printing that contain the set of exercises and a guide on how to use the platform. Web Platform: https://app.e3dplusvet.eu/exercises/ App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pristalica.e3dplusvet During the development of the E3D+VET project, the consortium has worked with more than 50 teachers and more than 190 students from different places in Europe. In addition to expert companies in 3D printing such as Stratasys and Flam3D. At the end of the project the exercises developed by the consortium already had more than 12,000 downloads. The results of the project have already been integrated into the course curriculum of the Seminar für Ausbildung und Fortbildung der Lehrkräfte Karlsruhe (Berufliche Schulen), in which from now on and annually a course "3D printing for non-technicians" will be given to teachers interested in 3D printing. Using our platform as well as exercises and contents in this annual course, teachers will be encouraged to continue feeding the platform with their ideas, providing continuity and sustainability to the project.