UltiMaker supports education with 3D printing initiative

UltiMaker has launched the “MakerBot Gives Back” initiative, a comprehensive program to promote 3D printing in education. The program will provide $500,000 worth of resources to schools, teachers and STEM organizations in North and South America. The goal is to give more students access to additive manufacturing and design thinking, especially in underserved regions and educational institutions with limited financial resources.

The program includes the provision of 3D printers, consumables, teacher training and teaching materials to facilitate the integration of the technology into everyday school life.

“As we continue to see new technologies emerge, future generations will have to develop skills that will allow them to adapt to changing environments. We believe that all students should have equitable access to technologies that will enable their success in and out of the classroom,” said Andrea Zermeño, Manager – MakerBot Education at UltiMaker. “For nearly 15 years, we have worked closely with educators to shape and refine our 3D printers and resources so that they fit the needs of the teacher and the classroom. Through our new initiative, we are expanding access to 3D printing resources to more educators and students to help them take classroom learning to the next level.”

UltiMaker plans to introduce further scholarship programs, teacher training and collaborations with educational institutions over the course of 2025 to promote the acceptance and use of 3D printing in schools. The focus will not only be on equipment and materials, but also on training teachers to enable them to effectively integrate 3D printing into the classroom through targeted training.

By working closely with educational institutions and STEM organizations, the long-term goal is to create new opportunities to prepare students for careers in engineering, manufacturing and additive manufacturing. A key aim of the initiative is to close existing funding gaps and support innovative teaching methods with technical resources. To this end, a comprehensive MakerBot Grant Guide has been published, providing educators with access to more than 40 additional funding opportunities.

“At UltiMaker, we are deeply committed to ensuring that students are not just passive users of technology but active creators of the future,” said Dottie Stewart, VP of Sales Americas at UltiMaker. “As a newly unified company, our mission is to not only provide access to technology but to ensure it is used effectively in the classroom. By investing in design thinking and empowering educators, we are laying the foundation for students to become the problem solvers, engineers, and innovators for the companies of tomorrow.”