3-D Printer Helps Enhance Takoma Academy STEM Program

Takoma Academy’s desire to have a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program that rivals those of the top tier schools in the nation took a huge leap forward with its recent acquisition of a 3-D printer.

Shaun Robinson, science teacher and robotics club advisor, says, “3-D printing is one of the areas that we are focusing on for the 2015-16 school year. It is a rapidly advancing technology that crosses many disciplines. Students in the best institutions are increasing their design and engineering skills with curriculum built around 3-D printing.”

A 3-D printer is an industrial robot that can print in plastic, metal, nylon and various other material. It can print manufacturing prototypes, end user products, aircraft engine parts and even human organs using a person’s own cells. 3-D printers use a variety of very different types of additive manufacturing technologies, but they all share one thing in common: they create a three-dimensional object.

Takoma Academy obtained the printer through a Versacare grant that the Office of Advancement obtained for the school. TA’s STEM department’s overall goal is to have a state-of-the-art 3-D printing lab with multiple printers and workstations.

Feature photo: Members of Takoma Academy’s robotics club and Shaun Robinson, science teacher and Robotics Club advisor, surround the new 3-D printer.