INDIANAPOLIS -- Students at Sunnyside Elementary in Lawrence Township now have access to a 3-D printing lab, thanks to a grant made available through the Purdue University Department of Art and Design.
The Industrial Design Department received a grant from IN-MaC, Indiana’s Next Generation Manufacturing Competiveness Center, allowing them to bring the lab to the school.
“We have a lot of traditional art tools in our schools but they don’t really have an opportunity and access to work with technology-based tools. If students can learn how to build products with both of these tools they can be a lot more creative. The kids then don’t have to limit their creativity based on the tools we have, ” said Ton Jin Kim, Purdue Associate Professor in the School of Visual and Performing Arts
In April of 2017, Kim, along with Ruckus Makerspace, a business incubator on Massachusetts Avenue, brought several 3-D printers to Sunnyside Elementary, allowing approximately 140 students to participate in a 3-D printing workshop. Kim felt the success of the day demonstrated Sunnyside as a great fit for a permanent 3-D printing lab.
Sunnyside will also be participating in a two-year research program on its implementation of the lab. A curriculum is being developed to support use of the Wonderlab, with the objective of expanding this type of opportunity to schools across the state.
“We are both grateful and excited for these 3-D printers! It is one aspect that we are putting into place that will have our students prepared for careers in the new economy," said Tierney Anderson, Sunnyside Elementary Principal.
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