MakerBot Academy

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Thank you all so very much for your generous support of my classroom! My students were so very excited when the packages came in! Before this grant was funded, we were limited in which colors we could use to print our 3D creations (choices were red, blue, and white). The children were thrilled to know that now they are able to print their designs in colors which are true to the object. In some cases, they've really enjoyed experimenting and being creative with their color choices. I really appreciate the donations you all made to help this project become a reality. It is wonderful to have the technology for my students to create objects which relate to the units we're studying. Not only does it reinforce content area ideas, but it allows them to be creative with technology and use critical thinking. Thank you all again so very much!!!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Wofford

My students do not get cool things such as 3D printers. We typically fight to get curriculum or included in grade level discussions. Having something so new and "cool" gave my students a sense of pride as they were the kids with the 3D printer.

We have used it to make adaptive materials that the students need, especially in writing or for cooking. It was fun to search for what they needed and they picked their own design. They would sit and watch it print in amazement! We even had to start running it after students left because it was so distracting. Thank you for helping to make my kids the "cool" kids.”

With gratitude,

Ms. M.

My students have had such an amazing time using the MakerBot during our Robotics Club. We have been able to learn the simple techniques needed to make squares, cylinders, and rectangles. We are hoping to eventually learn enough to print models of our robots designs. It has taken a little longer to learn how to use the software but once the kids understood the basics, they have taken off with it.

You have made it possible for my students to learn how to 3d design and then be able to print their designs. In our district, most students have to wait till high school to get that opportunity.

Thank you for your generosity!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Battles

Words can not truly express how grateful I am for your generosity in donating to our project, Third Graders go 3-D. Because of you, my class is able to experience technology-based education in a way that was not possible before.

It was like Christmas when our 3-D printer arrived, and my students were giddy with excitement to see what our printer could do. They were even more excited the first time they were able to watch it print a 3-D object. They were stunned that a machine could do something like that!

We had a special guest speaker talk about how he used the 3-D printer everyday in his job, and you could see the spark of curiosity in their eyes. They had so many questions, and were amazed by our Maker Bot printer. I cannot wait to use this more in the future.

As a teacher, I love nothing more than seeing my students excited about learning, and thanks to your generous gift, I will get to see that for years to come. Thank you again, I truly appreciate what you have done for my students.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Ward

I cannot thank you enough for this MakerBot 3D printer! The impact it has made on my students is incredible. Your generosity means the world to my students and to me. With this printer, my students have been exposed to career possibilities they had never imagined.

Using this printer you so generously provided, my students have made castle models, explored 3D shapes, created animal habitats, and used their curious creativity. This year, my students will repeat some of these projects and will be coming up with many more. Students in IDEAS will have the opportunity to utilize this printer for their semester project. The possibilities with the MakerBot 3D printer truly are endless. My students were able to feel like the inventors they read about this year. It inspired their confidence and enabled them to use their creative mind in the classroom. My students who are going in to the advanced IDEAS program now feel as though they have an edge against the competition. This is by far my favorite classroom technology! Other teachers in the building are blown away when they see what the MakerBot 3D printer can do! I am so excited about this year and will be discussing all the amazing things my students will do with the printer with parents at Open House this week.

Thank you for giving my school the opportunity to grow and learn through such incredible technology. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. I am thrilled to grow another group of inventors and creators this year!”

With gratitude,

Teacher

My students were thrilled with the arrival of the 3D printer! Every day for weeks there would be new students (some of who were not even in my class) show up at the door to see the printer. We have done a lot of referencing and research on practical uses of 3D printers and watched videos about all the ways 3D printing is impacting our world in a positive way. This has impacted our learning in the classroom in too many ways to count! It has given the students initiative to imagine what uses they might have for 3D printing capabilities. I often challenge them to come up with inventions of their own. Also I am using it as an incentive for project completion - A team that scores highest has their choice of a 3D printed object off Thingyverse. It has been marvelously effective in keeping teams on task!

Thank you so very much again for your help in funding this project and helping me teach my 21st century learners!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Grimaldi

My students were a little confused when I told them what they were going to be getting in their classroom. Most of the students and staff members at my school had never heard of a 3D printer before. Coincidentally, our weekly reader (news source) had an article on a young boy that designed an artificial hand for himself (with the help of his father) on a 3D printer. We read the article just before the printer arrived in our school

My students and I are using this 3D printer to create manipulatives for the classroom because we didn't have much time at the end of the year to really dive into more than that! I have been researching projects to incorporate into the curriculum this coming year.

This project boosted my students' learning by providing an extremely engaging learning experience for them.

We are all thankful for funding of this project!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Bradshaw

The resources my classroom received as a result of your generous contribution have made a great impact on my students. They have all heard of a 3D printer but never had a chance to use one, let alone actually see one. They were all intrigued by the machine and couldn't wait to get a turn to create something.

My initial goal was to integrate specific parts that the student designed and created with the Makerbot 3D Printer into a Vex robotic system. This allowed the students to be creative and also apply their practical knowledge to a potential solution. The project also satisfied our districts initiative by supporting essential 21st century skills, including collaborating with others, critical and creative thinking, and using/locating digital information. I soon found many more uses, specifically in my CAD course where students had to design and create a functional product that their mom could use at home. They were also asked to replicate a structure using design software along with the Makerbot 3D printer and laser cutter/engraver.

These projects engaged the students to the point where they became more independently motivated. They did all of the work on their own with just my guidance. Teaching becomes very easy when the students want to learn. They developed a great amount of pride and confidence in their work. These projects also gave the students the opportunity to gain more practical, real-world knowledge and experience.”

With gratitude,

Mr. Carrino

Thank you so much the amazing gift that you made possible for my students. Who knew that 10-year-olds could set up and use a 3-D printer? This is technology that seems so far off in the future, yet my students were able to access it and use it to solve problems that once seemed like something out of a science fiction novel. They were elated to discover that people who do not even know them believed in them enough to provide such amazing cutting-edge resources to them. They immediately began to research and find ways that they could use the printer to solve everyday problems. Thank you for having the foresight to know that dedication to science and engineering begins at a young age. My children were able to have experiences with the printer that few others ever will. Makerbot has not only designed an amazing product, but also has shown its dedication to education by helping put these machines in classrooms across the country. Thank you for helping make this dream a reality. We are forever grateful.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. White

Thank you for your incredible donation that has brought another element of real-life learning to our classroom. By being able to create three-dimensional renderings of what they thought could only be created with their minds, our students are now able to better evaluate their thinking.

The works that they have created are amazing. Even still, the awe in their eyes and voices are a thrill for me as they are still mesmerized by the creations of the Replicator. Who knows if they will be using a 3-D printer in their future careers, but you have helped light a spark in them already.”

With gratitude,

Mr. Nakano