Pathfinder School students will soon be able to print several three dimensional items at once in April.
The school will obtain three more 3D printers thanks to Educate and Inspire grant the Pinckney school received.
Pathfinder already has one 3D printer and will receive the three new ones in late April.
Several schools across the country also applied for this grant.
"The caliber of our applicants is a testament to the potential that innovative teachers see in 3D printing," said Steve Schell, New Matter CEO. "We're excited to build a community of passionate and imaginative educators who can now use the MOD-t 3D printer to inspire their students."
Pathfinder industrial arts teacher John Sadowski said the printers will help expand students' imagination.
"There was definitely a need for more printers because students would gather around to watch one student at a time use the one we have," said Sadowski, who applied for the grant. "It can get difficult when you have 25 kids per class, so these will help spread out everyone and watch their 3D images come to life."
Sadowski expressed the need for not only his classes but for other art classroom use as well.
The cost for the three basic, entry-level printers was roughly around $3,000.
"Before these printers, students would have to physically construct their 3D projects, and these printers will help them see their mistakes and learn," Sadowski said.
The printer is classroom and library friendly; it operates quietly, connects to WiFi and auto-calibrates so educators can focus their attention on teaching, not configuring.
"We strongly believe that 3D printing will cultivate a lifelong love of STEM subjects in students, and we are incredibly proud to participate in that experience," Schell said.
Sadowski said his students are just as excited as he is.
"It brings their imaginations to life, and that is what we want to see" he said.
Contact Livingston Daily education reporter Abby Welsh at awelsh@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @abby_welshLD.
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