An Educational Framework for Digital Manufacturing in Schools

Abstract The Laboratory School for Advanced Manufacturing (Lab School) was established to identify and develop effective educational practices for advanced manufacturing technologies in schools. The Lab School is grounded in the premise that students can learn through the design and fabrication process. Students of all ability levels from a diverse population participate in the program with the goal of increased diversity in the STEM pipeline. The advent of digital fabrication technologies such as desktop 3D printers now offers students an opportunity to see their ideas and concepts realized in physical form. This capability offers an opportunity to reconsider the curriculum and re-establish vital interconnections among the historically related subjects. For example, Invention Kits designed and fabricated in engineering classes are being used to advance learning through related experiments in science classes. Achieving these benefits requires careful planning. Factors that must be addressed include both pedagogical elements such as alignment with instructional objectives, and industrial processes that include sourcing of materials, workflow, and scheduling. These activities may encourage an interest in engineering as a career for some students. Other students will master related skills that will facilitate their work in other fields and support interests related to personal fulfillment in areas such as the arts.