Unleashing Your Inner 3D Printing CEO

Outline

Content & Engagement:
Student presenters will share their personal journeys and growing interest in 3D printing—how they got started and where they are today. They will showcase their designs, explain how they integrated entrepreneurial thinking, and discuss strategies they used to make their projects cost-effective. Most importantly, they will highlight how they’ve maintained their motivation and enjoyment throughout the process.

Time:
Students will spend 10–15 minutes sharing their stories, followed by 10 minutes presenting their prototypes, and another 10–15 minutes discussing how they managed costs and supplies. Throughout the session, students will welcome questions and conclude with key takeaways relevant to all ages and experience levels.

Process: The session will include a mix of peer-to-peer interactions, sharing of online computational tools for managing costs, designs, and resources, as well as hands-on prototype demonstrations.

Outcomes

After this session, participants will be able to combine 3D printing skills with entrepreneurial thinking. They will learn how to take a passion or idea, develop it through 3D design, and integrate a business concept—applying multiple areas of knowledge to real-world scenarios while strengthening their leadership skills.

Supporting research

Research Articles on 3D Printing in K-12 Education
1. Fostering Creativity and Interdisciplinary Learning-https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00098-21
2. Exploring the impact of 3D printing integration on STEM attitudes in elementary schools. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/13568
3. Exploring the impact of 3D printing integration on STEM attitudes in elementary schools
Khurma, O. A. (2023).
4. Developing pupils’ creativity through 3D modeling. This research tested elementary students using 3D modeling tools vs. traditional methods, focusing on aspects of creative thinking (fluency, originality, elaboration). It found that 3D modeling positively influenced divergent thinking skills in pupils. Frontiersin.org

5. The Utilization of 3D Printers by Elementary Aged Learners: A Scoping Review.https://www.jite.org/documents/Vol23/JITE-IIPv23Art006Fokides10213.pdf