During the summer two teachers from Togher N.S. were invited to a workshop on 3D design and printing. This 3.5 day course was funded by EIT-Manufacturing and supported by Stryker and I-Form (University College Dublin) in Ireland; Arts et Metier Institute of Technology in France; and University of Tartu in Estonia. Participating teachers were provided with a free, long-term loan of a 3D printer for their school.

3D printing makes learning active, giving students hand-on experience and brings their CAD (Computer-aided design) projects to life. With the expansion of the applications of 3D printing technology throughout industry, it is important that students start to develop the design and technical skills required to harness this technology while giving them an enjoyable, self- directed experience.

This week we explored computer aided design and set up our 3D printer. We soon printed our first CAD drawings.