The EMPOWER3D challenge, coordinated by Arts et Métiers, introduces elementary school students to science and engineering in a fun and collaborative way.
Coordinated by Arts et Métiers, EMPOWER3D involves the Cluny, Angers, and Paris campuses, as well as Masarykova Univerzita in the Czech Republic and University College Dublin in Ireland. Its goal is to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in elementary schools by making learning about technology fun through 3D printing.
Supervised by teachers trained in 3D techniques, students are involved in every step of the process: brainstorming design ideas as a team, drawing and building prototypes using TinkerCad, a 3D design software program for children, and testing them. The entire process is then filmed and edited into a short video. Six of these videos will then be selected, rewarding either the best design or the best learning journey. The two best teams from each country will be invited to a European feedback event.
Repair or improve an object?
This year, participants will choose between two themes related to environmental issues: repairing or improving an object. The next step is to train new teachers who want to take part in the challenge. A training day will be held on November 12 on the Paris campus to teach them how to use the design software and printers.
Another day is being organized on December 3 in Tremblay-en-France, in partnership with the municipality, to train teachers from the town's schools. The nearby town of Villepinte also wants to repeat the Tremblay experience, which was a great success.
One hundred teachers trained in three years
"Last year, we mobilized more than thirty teachers in France. The challenge now is to maintain this momentum," explains Imade Koutiri, project coordinator. Since the 3D printing training sessions began four years ago, more than a hundred teachers have been trained by the three campuses. All of them can now register their classes for the challenge. The difficulty lies in continuing to support all teachers trained in primary schools.
The goal is also to expand to otherArts et Métiers campuses and to include the training in the official catalog for teachers (Eduroam).
