Infographic: 3D Printing in schools, and preparing children for the future
Technology is changing our world at an unprecedented rate, and it's only going to get faster, as a consequence today's children will face a radically different future and they need to be prepared for it
Key takeaways
- STEM is unique in that it aims to emphasize discovery, experimentation, and exploration, all qualities that can be enhanced by integrating the potential of 3D printers in the classroom.
- How else can 3D printers combined with STEM learning prepare students? Use this infographic, or go to the Quill's site to find out more.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2017) 'Infographic: 3D Printing in schools, and preparing children for the future', 311 Institute, 10 October. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/infographic-3d-printing-in-schools-and-preparing-children-for-the-future/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Thanks to the team at Quill.com for reaching out with this infographic that shines a light on the use of 3D Printing in schools, as well as a subject close to my heart, which is how we prepare our children for tomorrow's world, one that will be drastically different from today's reality, where, for example, on demand 3D printing will increasingly be the norm, and where Generative Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and new manufacturing technologies, such as 4D Printing and Nanomanufacturing, and even Molecular Assemblers, will come together to create robots, like this one, that self evolve and then print themselves off in the printer. Take this one step further with 4D Printing and they'll "evolve" themselves, print themselves and be able to walk right out of the printer... and much, much more.
If you're an educator then I'd love to hear your views about how you're preparing our children for careers that will span fifty years when the rate of change is already so rapid, and if you'd like to hear more about my work with a number of UK Local Education Authorities (LEA's) where I'm helping "fine tune" after school programs and curriculums then just ping me. Now over to the infographic and best of luck, Matt.
If, ten years ago, someone would have told a manufacturer or a doctor that they could print airplane parts or prosthetic limbs on a printer, they would have shaken their heads in disbelief. It just wasn’t possible - or even probable.
Luckily for everyone, 3D printers have changed all that, both for business, non profits, organizations, and home. 3D printers cut down on waste, they cut down on pollution, and they make highly intricate design both accessible and customizable. And 3D printing also holds the promise to transform the classroom, especially the study of the highly coveted STEM cohort, also known as science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
STEM is unique in that it aims to emphasize discovery, experimentation, and exploration, all qualities that can be enhanced by integrating the potential of 3D printers in the classroom. How else can 3D printers combined with STEM learning prepare students? Use this infographic, or go to the Quill's site to find out more.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Technology is changing our world at an unprecedented rate, and it's only going to get faster, as a consequence today's children will face a radically different future and they need to be prepared for it
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 10 October 2017. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2017). Infographic: 3D Printing in schools, and preparing children for the future. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/infographic-3d-printing-in-schools-and-preparing-children-for-the-future/
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