Stratasys Wants Schools to Respond: What Would a 3D Printer Mean to You?

3D printer and service provider Stratasys has partnered with THE Journal and Campus Technology, sister publications covering technology in education, to offer the chance for a school to win a Stratasys Mojo 3D printer for its campus along with a $5,000 grant. To win the national 3D Printer Contest for Higher Education and K-12, entrants just need to answer the question, “What would a 3D printer mean to your school?”

“As a multi-disciplinary learning tool, 3D printing has made an incredible impact on higher education, engaging students and providing hands-on skills and experiences,” said Rhea Kelly, executive editor of Campus Technology, in a press release. “Campus Technology is pleased to partner with Stratasys to help bring this powerful technology to a deserving campus."

3D printers not only give kids the opportunity to create in a fundamentally different way, they let them get a leg up on potential careers in STEM by interacting with the technology, according to Jesse Roitenberg, North American education manager at Stratasys.

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“When classrooms add 3D printing to their learning environment, innovation comes to life,” he said. “The ability to turn your ideas into a physical model allows for a student to truly evaluate and make design iterations. True project-based learning and applied knowledge at a younger age are impacting students' interest in the STEM fields, and that is a highly desired outcome.”

Participating schools must submit a 500-word essay explaining what having a 3D printer would mean to them. Stratasys will review the essays and choose a winner.

The deadline for entries is November 30. For more information and to submit entries, schools can visit the contest pages on the websites of THE Journal and Campus Technology.

Elizabeth Montalbano is a freelance writer who has written about technology and culture for more than 15 years. She has lived and worked as a professional journalist in Phoenix, San Francisco and New York City. In her free time she enjoys surfing, traveling, music, yoga and cooking. She currently resides in a village on the southwest coast of Portugal.