3D Printing in Schools: MakerBot and Akorn STEAM Program

Inspiring tomorrow's problem solvers with 3D printing applications

3D printing in schools gives students a direct path from idea to finished object. They sketch a concept, print it, test it in their hands, then improve it. This loop builds the design and problem-solving skills employers value. MakerBot has supported this approach in Australia for years. Since 2017, MakerBot has sponsored the Akorn Full STEaM Ahead program, a design challenge asking young people to solve real problems with 3D printing.

The result is a clear example of what classroom 3D printing looks like when it is tied to a genuine purpose.

Inside the Full STEaM Ahead program

The 2021 Full STEaM Ahead program ran for Year 10 girls at Engineers Australia headquarters in Melbourne. Akorn set the theme as Girls Designing Assistive Devices and Technology. Over five days, students worked through a structured design process rather than a one-off print.

Akorn Educational Services guided each team. They helped students set up an analytical framework and apply user-centred design. Students learned to study a person's needs first, then design a solution to fit. This is design thinking in practice. It mirrors how professional engineers work.

MakerBot Australia has backed the program as a proud sponsor since 2017. The partnership gives students access to reliable 3D printers and the support to use them well.

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Designing assistive technology that solves real problems

The 2021 theme had weight behind it. The World Report on Disability estimates that 1 in 5 people globally lives with a disability. In Australia, the figure reaches 4.27 million people. Many face social exclusion and everyday barriers, from the built environment to negative attitudes.

Students responded by designing enabling technologies to remove some of those barriers. Working in teams, they generated ideas and built assistive devices aimed at real users.

Their finished designs were practical and specific:

• Helping-hand scissors for users with limited grip strength

• A finger-grip writer to make handwriting easier

• A custom 3D-printed shampoo dispenser for a person who finds a pump-action bottle hard to hold and press

At the end of the program, each team presented a final product pitch. The work shows how 3D printing and assistive technology fit together. It also shows how students design for inclusion with the right tools.

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Why 3D printing in schools works so well

The program worked because 3D printing makes ideas physical fast. A student prints a part overnight, tests it the next morning, then changes the design and prints again. This speed turns a vague concept into a tested product within days.

This is the core of design thinking with 3D printing. Students do not stop at a drawing. They hold the result, find the flaws, and improve it. Each cycle teaches more than any finished worksheet.

MakerBot supplied Replicator+ printers for the rapid prototyping. Akorn Educational Services chose them for their ease of use, durability, and consistent results. Those qualities matter when a whole class shares the same machines all week.

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Choosing a MakerBot 3D printer for your school

MakerBot builds 3D printers for different stages of learning. The Method and Method XL suit senior students and engineering courses needing strong, accurate parts in advanced materials. For most classrooms, though, the MakerBot Sketch is the printer we point schools to first. It is enclosed, quiet, and simple to run. This makes it a safe fit for younger students and shared rooms. The Sketch is also the modern replacement for the Replicator+ used in the Full STEaM Ahead program.

For schools wanting everything in one order, MakerBot sells the Sketch as classroom-ready bundles:

• Sketch Standard Bundle: a single classroom getting started

• Sketch Classroom Bundle: whole-class teaching and curriculum delivery

• Sketch Large Bundle: bigger build volumes and larger student projects

• Sketch Sprint Bundle: fast print speeds and high-throughput labs

Each bundle includes the printer, materials, and the extras a teacher needs to start printing on day one. Australian schools running STEAM programs like Full STEaM Ahead choose the bundle matching their class size and goals.

Other Australian classrooms show the same hands-on approach. The Mars rover design project shows students improving real builds, and Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School connects STEAM work to community problems. For more on inclusive design, see how TOM: Melbourne uses MakerBot 3D printers to build assistive technology with local communities.

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Frequently asked questions

What is 3D printing used for in schools?

3D printing in schools lets students turn their own designs into physical objects. Classes use it for STEM and STEAM projects, product design, prototyping, and assistive technology builds. It teaches design thinking by letting students test and improve their work.

How does 3D printing in schools support STEM and STEAM learning?

3D printing connects science, technology, engineering, art, and maths in one project. Students design a part, print it, and test it against a real need. This hands-on cycle makes abstract ideas concrete and builds workforce-ready skills.

Can students design assistive devices with a 3D printer?

Yes. In the Akorn Full STEaM Ahead program, Year 10 students designed helping-hand scissors, a finger-grip writer, and a custom shampoo dispenser. A 3D printer lets students prototype assistive technology quickly and tailor each design to a specific user.

Which MakerBot 3D printer is best for schools?

The MakerBot Sketch is the best fit for most schools. It is enclosed, quiet, and easy to use, which suits shared classrooms and younger students. Senior and engineering students who need stronger parts move up to the MakerBot Method or Method XL.

Where can Australian schools buy a MakerBot 3D printer?

Australian schools buy MakerBot 3D printers and Sketch classroom bundles from Australian 3D Printers. We supply, install, and support MakerBot printers for schools across Australia.

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3D Printer 3D Printer Australia 3D Printers 3D Printing Australia Akorn Assistive Technology Classroom 3D Printing Design Thinking Education K-12 MakerBot MakerBot Method MakerBot Sketch MakerBot Sketch Classroom Bundle MakerBot Sketch Large MakerBot Sketch Sprint STEAM STEM