On Thursday, June 1, 2023, 160 students from several elementary schools in the Paris region had the opportunity to visit two laboratories on the Paris campus as part of a 3D printing challenge: a look back at this educational and fun project.
A European project
Manufacturing a Healthy Future is a European project funded by EIT Manufacturing. It is represented by Stryker and I-Form (University College Dublin) in Ireland, the Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology Arts et Métiers France, the University of Tartu in Estonia, LINPRA in Lithuania, and PBN in Hungary. The project has been running annually since 2021 and, building on its success, will continue in 2023 with expansion into Hungary and Lithuania.
How the challenge works
Firstly, Manufacturing a Healthy Future offers free training in 3D printing for primary school teachers. Over three to four days, teachers learn the basics of design and additive manufacturing, and then take on the challenge with their students. Over the course of a year, they have access to a 3D printer in their school to collectively create a unique and original object. Each edition of the challenge reveals a theme that participants must follow, which until now has focused on social and environmental issues. Since 2021, the themes have been health, sustainable development, and sustainability.
For the 2023 edition, two challenges were proposed: giving a second life to an existing object by inventing another use for it with elements designed and printed in 3D, or extending the life of an object initially intended to be thrown away by improving it with printed parts.
The objectives of this challenge for teachers and students are to:
- Raise students' awareness of the world of research and industry;
- Learn about the different components of a 3D printer (calibration, maintenance, safety, etc.);
- Know the different printing filaments and their applications;
- Use 3D design and printing software ;
- Explore 3D design lesson plans designed for elementary education;
- Raise awareness about sustainable development and materials;
- Experiment with the process of thinking about object design;
- Work on creativity;
- Experiment with group work.
Some figures
Since 2021:
- 116 elementary school teachers in three countries (Ireland, France, and Estonia) were trained in design and printing using a 3D printer.
- 3,000 elementary school students from these three countries participated in a design challenge.
- In Ireland, 47 teachers and 1,000 students participated in the program.
A tour of the laboratories
On June 1, students from several elementary schools in the Paris region were welcomed by Arts et Métiers staff. They had the opportunity to visit the PIMM Laboratory andthe Georges Charpak Institute of Human Biomechanics. As part of this visit, they enjoyed three introductory sessions on biomechanics, piezoelectricity, and lasers. It was a time for sharing and discussion, and above all, for asking all kinds of questions!
Each year, this 3D printing challenge for teachers and their students has enabled participants to explore new horizons and develop their creativity while acquiring technical skills.
