3D Printer Company Wants Device in Every Public School, White House Supports Idea

The rise of 3D printing technology is still an emerging trend, but one company is trying to bring the technology into the mainstream as an educational tool, and it has the support of the White House and President Barack Obama.

MakerBot founder and Chief Executive Bre Pettis, who is a former teacher, recently explained why he feels his company's initiative to bring 3D printers into classrooms will help the education system in the United States improve. "Instead of waiting for someone to create a product for you, you can create your own...It can change the whole paradigm of how our children will see innovation and manufacturing in America," Pettis told CNET. 

To contribute to this initiative, visit DonorsChoose.org, a crowdfunding site for teachers. Makerbot will offer their 3D printers at a significantly reduced price to help ensure more schools across the country are able to gain access to the technology. The company and Stratasys, its parent company, also are adding funds to the campaign, with Pettis pledging to put a 3D printer in every public school in Brooklyn, N.Y. where the company is based.

Makerbot also has the support of one of the most powerful institutions in the country, the United States Government. Tom Kalil, Deputy Director for Technology and Innovation within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, expressed his support for putting 3D printing technology in the hands of America's youth. 

"We all need to think creatively about giving our young people the tools to be 'the makers of things, and not just the consumers of things,'" said Kalil. 

President Barack Obama similarly revealed he was a fan of the technology in his most recent State of the Union Address, adding that he feels like 3D printers could "revolutionize the way we make almost everything."

It is unclear what the timetable is for bringing 3D printers to public schools; the technology behind the 3D printer is still very new. One potential problem is developing programs that give people the tools to turn their ideas into technology made by 3D printers. To help the younger generation learn how to operate these programs, Makerbot is launching a program called Thingverse, an online 3D printing design community for schoolchildren. This will help students design and share their plans with others to help spread understanding of the technology around the country.