3D Printing in Schools: Beyond the Hype, Real Results
Presenter: Michael Herren
Description: What does it actually take to make 3D printing work in a real classroom—not a highlight reel, not an idealized pilot program, but with real students, real budgets, and real time constraints? This session cuts through the hype and delivers the honest, classroom-tested knowledge educators need to build a program that lasts. Attendees will learn when 3D printing genuinely transforms learning and when it's just an expensive distraction, plus the foundational skills—materials, slicer settings, bed adhesion, and maintenance—that separate thriving programs from dusty printers in the corner. We'll also explore the exciting shift toward AI-assisted CoreXY systems and multi-toolhead printing that are reshaping what's possible in schools. And yes—we'll show how you can use 3D printing to raise real money for your STEM programs. Leave with practical strategies and information you can put to work immediately.