School, library receive 3D printer assistance
Forty-four schools, libraries, and learning centers throughout the Gem State — including two in Bonner County — are expanding their capabilities to include 3D printing, design, and fabrication with help from the Idaho STEM Action Center.
Participating from Bonner County were the East Bonner County Library District in Sandpoint and Southside Elementary School in Cocolalla.
Science, technology, engineering, and math teachers and mentors from the organizations are learning how to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot 3D printers at workshops the STEM Action Center is holding last week and this week in Boise, Lewiston, and Pocatello in partnership with the Digital Harbor Foundation.
The professional development opportunity is part of FabSLAM, a team-based digital fabrication competition launched by the Digital Harbor Foundation where youth in Idaho, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh practice design, iteration, and rapid prototyping skills primarily focused on 3D design and 3D printing. With guidance from a coach, each team develops and documents a product that fits the annual theme and requirements. The competition culminates in a FabSLAM Showcase where teams present their products to a panel of judges and a public audience for review and feedback. This is the second year the STEM Action Center has recruited Idaho educators to participate.
Staged at the Lewiston City Library Oct. 16-17, the North Idaho training session attracted 32 coaches from the 17 Eastern Idaho FabSLAM participants. They also received new 3D printers at the workshop to bring back home to their facilities, and they will assemble teams in their communities to participate in FabSLAM and serve as coaches. Visit digitalharbor.org/whatwedo/projects/fabslam for more details.
The Idaho STEM Action Center was created in 2015 because Idaho citizens are not entering the STEM pipeline fast enough to meet current and future Idaho workforce needs. Its goals are to coordinate and facilitate implementation of science, technology, engineering, and math programs, align education and workforce needs, and increase awareness of STEM throughout Idaho. The organization is working with industry, government, educators, and students to develop new resources and support high-quality teacher professional-development opportunities to foster a STEM-educated workforce that ensures Idaho’s continued economic prosperity.
The Digital Harbor Foundation is dedicated to fostering learning, creativity, productivity and community through education. In 2013 it transformed a closed-down rec center in Baltimore into a vibrant tech center for youth. In 2014 it launched the Center of Excellence to train others how to incorporate making into their own learning environments. This year with help from the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Technology Councils of North America it expanded FabSLAM to Idaho and Pittsburgh.
Information: Idaho STEM Action Center, STEM.idaho.gov; or Digital Harbor Foundation, digitalharbor.org