All Students May Be Using 3D Printing in the Future

        I have been looking at articles about 3D printing and its uses in the classroom this week.  I have never seen one but have noticed alot of conversations about them on various blogs lately.  One article I read for this week is:

3D Printing Will Transform Education

by TJ McCue   http://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2011/11/01/3d-printing-will-transform-education/
 
and also curriculum examples on  Makerbot   http://curriculum.makerbot.com/

These sources explain that the 3D printer will soon be found on all students' desk and will be usable for a wide variety of subject studies.  They give examples and lesson plans  for how it can be used in Math, Biology, Art and many other subjects.  They will create an actual 3D object that students can study or they can create their own.  The article uses legos as an example as similar to how students will be able to use these to build their own objects.
    
There is currently a pilot program being used in the New York City public high schools.  Students can study models and create their own models for classwork.  They can upload their designs on the website http://www.thingiverse.com/. or download designs from the digital library to be printed.

I believe these printers are definitely becoming much more available and user friendly.  I could see their uses in any type of curriculum.  The article states that the company " wants students to have an “invention engine” in the classroom. Students can have an idea, design it, print it, and if it doesn’t work, make it again. “The make it again part – that’s the powerful part,” adds Pettis."

I am sure that their are many more companies and websites that will offer similar printers to the education community.  I am excited to see one and try it out someday for myself!