Makerspaces, libraries and education

Being convinced that 3D printing will eventually lead to an industrial revolution, I've tried to stay up to date with 3D printing and, as a Computer S...

During March and April a "Citizen Science" pilot will be conducted in the London Borough of Lambeth with a cohort of 50 primary school children, their parents, teachers and members of the local community.

Supported with internet connected sensors and activity trackers this unique project uses the "Internet of Things" to flip the science laboratory and encourage a multi-generational learning and conversation about air quality, well-being and health.

Dubbed the CytonE family, the humanoid robots are about the size of a human arm, weigh less than five pounds and feature seven axes of motion and a gripper. CytonE robots use Actin, software originally created by Energid Technologies for NASA and currently used in industrial robotics in fields such as oil exploration and nuclear inspection. Actin is designed to make programming the robots easy and to provide fluidity, efficiency and power similar to human movements.

Australian researchers create the world's first 3D-printed jet engine in a manufacturing breakthrough.

When Tarrawanna's Kim Warner learnt about 3D printing at a demonstration at Towradgi Public School, she half-jokingly asked demonstrator Ben Roberts to make an artificial hand for her daughter. She didn't expect him to do it.

A man who suffered horrific facial injuries in a motorbike accident has his face rebuilt using 3D printed parts.

Probably one of the coolest projects we have seen in the last several months is that of the Pi-Top, a Raspberry Pi-enabled 3D printed laptop. When the Pi-Top was first unveiled back in September we were already impressed, but since then they have been working to reduce the size of the laptop, shrinking components and redesigning the 3D printable case. In October a brand new, sleeker version of of the 3D printed laptop was unveiled

Design with 3D patterns

Project Shapeshifter is a browser-based tool for generating interesting geometric shapes, and then exporting them for 3D printing. We think it is a fun and interesting way to produce gifts and ornaments that show off what you can do with 3D printing. It’s a product of Autodesk’s Research labs, and highlights a possible direction for making 3D design and printing accessible to everyone!

Based upon the famous walking Strandbeest from Theo Jansen ( http://www.strandbeest.com ). This is a modular clip together system that is FDM printer friendly. No support required.
I have curved the links in an organic way such that the shape of the leg section looks ahem "bra" like, hence the name.
If you are having trouble with the cranks, try this re-mixed version from Vivifyer: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:207351
See videos :
http://youtu.be/PdvfL4GfMk0
http://youtu.be/vUjEQ_0

MakerBot has launched Starter Labs, kits designed to help educational institutions get 3D printing systems set up quickly.

We hear a lot these days about STEM, STEAM and the importance of engaging young people in learning science. We also hear a lot about computer science and learning coding. We hear a lot about making. We hear a lot about parental engagement in their child’s learning. We hear a lot about flipped classrooms. You get the picture.

So in Lambeth this month and next I will be working with Nicky and colleagues to provide a cohort of children, parents and community members with a collection of internet connected sensors and activity trackers. The idea is that we will use these devices as part of the Internet of Things to conduct experiments that encourage conversations and deeper learning as a result of experiences and multi-generational participation. We also hope that it may embed some knowledge and thinking about some vital urban issues and we want to do this by co-discovery engaging all of the participants.

Spark has grown from a gleam in the eye of CEO Zach Supalla to a fully baked prototyping platform. These tiny boards allow you to make programmable..

Tinkercad is an easy-to-use 3D CAD design tool. Quickly turn your idea into a CAD model for a 3D printer with Tinkercad.

Australian high school students will soon be reaping the benefits of 3D printing technology.

A new program is showing teachers how to build 3D printers and incorporate them into school curriculum.

Quantum Victoria, a science and maths innovation centre funded by the Victorian Government, has just trained its first group of teachers.

3-D printing is not just being used to make souvenirs and car parts, but also being used more and more in hospitals and medical schools to help save lives.

3D-printing set to revolutionise medical training with body parts that don't cost an arm and a leg.

The Space Tank Studio provides artists & designers with the machinery, technology & studio space to work in to create their masterpieces.

Check out K-12 educator project - Pretty Cool - Autonomous Car project by Roland Gesthuizen Initiative of VicRoads and Dynamic Connection http://t.co/olmD4gDJIu

Make one-of-a-kind 3D printing pendants and charms personalized with your own photo.

Charmr is a quick way to make one-of-a-kind 3D jewelry with a photo of your choice.

Charmr enables you to put together a 3D printable design in just minutes!

For added fun, tag your charm as LOV3D to have it appear in our special gallery dedicated to all things love!