New MakerBot Trend Report Highlights Ongoing Use of 3D Printing in Remote Learning Environments

Rhea-AI Summary

MakerBot, a Stratasys company (NASDAQ: SSYS), released its 2nd annual report on 3D printing in education. The findings indicate that 3D printing significantly enhances student engagement and collaboration, even in remote learning environments. Based on over 1,000 responses from educators globally, 57% utilized 3D printing for student-designed projects, while 36% incorporated it into lesson plans. However, 40% reported lack of equipment access as a barrier. The report underscores the importance of creative problem-solving skills and highlights educators' anticipation for more resources in the upcoming school year.

Positive

• 57% of educators used 3D printing for student-designed prototypes, enhancing problem-based learning.
• 94% of respondents prioritize reliability and ease of use in 3D printer purchases.
• 58% of educators are excited to return to class, seeking innovative ways to teach STEAM.

Negative

• 40% of educators reported students lacked access to necessary 3D printing equipment.
• Budget constraints (57%) were a significant barrier to teaching STEAM subjects.

Findings from MakerBot’s new trend report on 3D printing in education show its significance to continue engaging students and encouraging team collaboration in remote settings

BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MakerBot, a Stratasys company (Nasdaq: SSYS), today released its 2^nd annual report on Trends in 3D Printing and STEAM Education, revealing how respondents leveraged 3D printing to amplify student engagement and collaboration in remote and virtual learning environments. Based on over 1,000 responses from education professionals around the world, the report also highlights some of the key factors that are leading to the increased use of 3D printing for lessons, coursework, and research projects.

(Graphic: Business Wire)

Key findings from the report showed that while many schools were closed over the past year, respondents were still able to use 3D printing to support their lessons and drive student participation. Virtual learning has been a challenge for respondents, with many citing low student engagement (48%) as an obstacle. To increase involvement, respondents added extra layers of complexity to their teachings to boost creative thinking and encourage student collaboration. 57% of respondents used 3D printing for student-designed prototypes for problem-based learning projects, while 36% used 3D-printed parts related to specific lessons plans to increase student engagement. But not all remote experiences were equivalent—40% of respondents cited that their students were unable to practice their learnings due to the lack of access to equipment.

“For years, we have seen the power of 3D printing used to elevate student learning and development in the classroom. As schools look to bridge the skills gap in today’s workforce, building students’ critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills will be increasingly important,” said Nadav Goshen, CEO, MakerBot. “Over the past year, educators took 3D printing one step further, extending its capabilities to support remote education to keep students challenged, collaborative, and–most importantly–engaged.”

Additional key findings from the Trends in 3D Printing and STEAM Education report include:

• 21^st century skills development continues to be an impactful factor in teaching with 3D printing. Developing creative thinking (57%) and problem-solving skills (50%) were among the top reasonings behind why respondents chose to teach with 3D printing. Using the technology to turn ideas into reality (48%) and develop critical cognitive and practical skills (45%) were also essential when integrating into class lessons.
• Teaching STEAM subjects during the pandemic was not much different than prior years. Budget constraints and insufficient funding were cited as the top reasons, at 57%, while insufficient equipment (46%) and training (38%) were additional hurdles for respondents.
• Respondents look for reliability and ease of use in their printers. In their 3D printer purchase decision-making process, 97% of respondents cited reliability as one of the most important factors, while 93% also said that the ease of use and easy maintenance were also important to consider.
• Advancements in 3D printing have propelled its use across a range of applications in higher education. Functional prototyping (65%) and concept modeling (65%) were the top applications, while R&D projects (47%) and manufacturing aids (31%) lagged behind.
• Anticipation for an exciting new school year is high. 58% of respondents cited that they were looking forward to being back in the classroom with students, while over 50% were also excited to find creative ways to teach STEAM curricula and create authentic learning experiences in the new school year. Meanwhile, 44% of respondents were looking forward to more access to the equipment in the schools.

“3D printing is a powerful and versatile learning tool that educators can use to create active learning experiences for students. With out-of-the-box, creative thinking, educators can leverage the technology to amplify their lessons to teach students in an exciting and impactful way,” added Goshen.

Download the full MakerBot report here.

About the study
MakerBot surveyed over 1,000 education professionals who are in its global network and use 3D printing in traditional or non-traditional learning settings across grade levels from kindergarten to the university level. Respondents were based in over 60 countries across North America, Asia, Europe, South America, Oceania, and Africa. They teach a range of disciplines, including 3D printing, art & design, industrial arts, mathematics, engineering, language studies, history, and more.

About MakerBot
MakerBot, a Stratasys company, is a global leader in the 3D printing industry. MakerBot empowers the engineers of today and tomorrow with its powerful additive manufacturing ecosystem. The company strives to redefine the standards for 3D printing in reliability, accessibility, precision, and ease-of-use. Through this dedication, MakerBot has one of the largest install bases in the industry and also runs Thingiverse, the largest 3D printing community in the world.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210916005535/en/

Bennie Sham

MakerBot

bennie.sham@makerbot.com

Source: MakerBot

FAQ

What were the key findings of MakerBot's 2023 report on 3D printing in education?

The report highlighted that 57% of educators used 3D printing for student-designed projects, with 40% citing equipment access issues as a barrier.

How does 3D printing impact student engagement according to MakerBot's report?

3D printing is shown to significantly enhance student engagement and collaboration, especially in remote learning settings.

What challenges do educators face when using 3D printing in education?

Major challenges include budget constraints (57%) and lack of access to equipment (40%), according to the report.

What percentage of educators prioritize reliability in 3D printer purchases?

97% of educators consider reliability a crucial factor when purchasing 3D printers.

What skills do educators aim to develop through 3D printing, based on MakerBot's findings?

Educators aim to develop creative thinking (57%) and problem-solving skills (50%) through 3D printing.