Baldwin Faculty Advance Professionally by Building 3D Printers

1/4/18 — The Baldwin School’s computer science and engineering department recently hosted a two-day professional development session for faculty and staff with iMade3d building, developers of JellyBox 3D printers.

The idea behind the training began in 2017 when the computer science department decided to replace the 3D printers in Baldwin’s DREAM Labs®. The goal was to acquire user-friendly and functional printers for both students and teachers. Stephanie Greer, Computer Science Department Chair and Lower School DREAM Lab® Coordinator, discovered the JellyBox printer and was immediately interested. “I was excited by the idea of introducing students to the hardware component of 3D printing,” shared Greer. “Hardware structure and design is often overlooked in schools despite it being critical for understanding the tools we use.”

On the first day of the training, faculty worked in teams of two to complete a JellyBox Maker Build, each building their own 3D printer. On day two, they spent time learning advanced 3D print techniques and concepts, reviewing printer maintenance skills and exploring filament potential.

“I told my students that our two-day professional development was like school for teachers,” shared Middle School DREAM Lab® Coordinator Addison Lilholt. “The best part about it is that we will be able to take all of the skills we just learned and reteach them to our students.”