Stratasys Ltd. has introduced a new 3D printing curriculum for educators. The full-semester, 14-week course is aimed to help prepare secondary and post-secondary students worldwide for careers being transformed by 3D printing.
Learning materials are free to educators and include a curriculum guide, supporting presentations, 3D models (STL files) and grading tools. Focused on academia community engagement, the content may be continuously refreshed with the help of participating educators.
"We notice a strong demand coming from the industry for a curriculum focusing on 3D printing," says Shelly Linor, director of global education for Stratasys. "Educators around the world now have an opportunity to make a big impact by using and contributing to our curriculum. They will also be able to better prepare their students for future careers as 3D printing is becoming an intrinsic part of the design and manufacturing processes in leading companies," Linor says.
The beginner course, Introduction to 3D Printing: From Design to Fabrication, explores 3D printing in terms of its history, established applications, forward-looking trends, and potential social and economic impacts. Through project-based learning, students will experience 3D printing's impact on the design process firsthand. Centered on the course's theme Make Something That Moves Something, a variety of projects guide students through the process of designing and 3D printing a fully functional moving part in a single build.
Students will become familiar with the advantages of various 3D printing technologies in terms of precision, resolution and material capabilities. While Stratasys recommends FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies for this course, any technology platform and any CAD software with STL support may be used.
Completion of the beginning course should enable graduates to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of key historical factors that have shaped manufacturing over the centuries.
- Explain current and emerging 3D printing applications in a variety of industries.
- Describe the advantages and limitations of the main 3D printing technologies.
- Evaluate real-life scenarios, and recommend the appropriate use of 3D printing technology.
- Identify opportunities to apply 3D printing technology for time and cost reduction.
- Discuss the economic implications of 3D printing, including its impact on startup businesses and supply chains.
- Design and print objects containing moving parts without assembly.
Stratasys plans to add two sequential advanced courses under the theme "Something That Moves Something." These courses will cover material memory, multi-material use and 3D printing for robotics applications.
Schools in Singapore and the U.S. have led the process of implementing Stratasys' 3D printing curriculum. "The introductory material on 3D printing that Stratasys offers, from the slide presentations to the videos, were impressive," says Ms. Chee Feng Ping, a lecturer with the Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore. "The students enjoy the hands-on activities especially the design process with 3D printing."
Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston also uses Stratasys' 3D printing curriculum. "There are going to be many instructors out there who would love to teach a course in 3D printing but who simply do not have enough time to do the detailed research and to prepare professional level presentations," says Assistant Professor Steve Chomyszak. "Stratasys has now made it much easier for any instructor to offer a college level course on the subject."
