The CREATE Education Project and BAE Systems
#Inspiring Lancashire Programme
In October 2020, BAE Systems announced a significant investment in new digital skills programmes to boost employability in Lancashire and close emerging skills gaps in digital STEM skills for future employment, and up to 7,500 young people in Lancashire will benefit from these programmes.
Working with Lancashire Education Partnership (LEP), CREATE Education were lucky enough to be one of the companies to be awarded up to £150K to work with several schools in Lancashire to deliver a unique programme focused on embedding additive manufacturing in the classroom.
The CREATE Education Project are specialists in supporting teachers and educators in embedding 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing technologies into their classrooms. Established in 2014, they offer free webinars and resources, a 3D printer and technology loan scheme, and 3D printers and comestibles to education organisations. They are the preferred education resellers for Ultimaker and Mayku and have been shortlisted for their resources and work in the ERA Awards.
“We want to bring together award-winning 3D printers and like-minded collaborators in the spirit of open-source thinking, making digital creativity accessible to all. We understand the challenges of education and work to remove barriers to using the most innovative technology.”
Paul Croft – Founder of CREATE Education
Since October 2020, The CREATE Education Project has worked with 52 Secondary schools in Lancashire, supporting over 120 teachers and 3,000 young people with 3D Printing skills.
Each of the 52 schools has been offered a package of hardware, comestibles, training, and workshops, which amounts to over £3k, including:
- An Ultimaker 2+ Connect 3D Printer;
- A certified CPD program for two staff members;
- A school-based 3D Printing Workshop Day for 60 Year 8 Students;
- Employer encounter opportunities;
- An Impact evaluation and measurement programme;
- A fully resourced Design Challenge Project;
- A celebration event.
The project is well underway, with all of the teachers now trained and three-quarters of the schools’ workshops delivered.
Neil Hodgson, Curriculum Leader of Design and Technology at St Augustine’s RC High School in Clitheroe, said:
“It has been…a really unique opportunity to be involved in this programme…enriching our curriculum to unlock the future skills potential for our pupils. The commitment to this programme from BAE Systems PLC is well received and will give the young people in our county a significant advantage to secure highly-skilled jobs in the local area.”
Mr Wright, Headteacher at St Augustine’s RC High School, echoed the sentiments saying:
“The work they [the students] are doing on 3D design and 3D Printing is wonderful. It’s a great experience for them and gives them a really good insight into the developments that are taking place in the manufacturing industry and will hopefully give them the skills that are transferable to all kinds of work in that field.”
And some of his students echoed the sentiment after the workshop, saying:
“I’ve been trying to learn how to 3D print for ages and it’s good to finally be able to do it.”
“We’ve never used the software, so it was a challenge to figure out the commands and measurements. I’ve learnt to be patient and correct mistakes.”
You can find the full interviews with the teachers and cases studies from the champion schools here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp7PimIqjp0&t=145s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9vDVywyvXM&t=13s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NILxgTU9WRk&t=9s
Do you want to get your school or college 3D printing?
Get in contact with The CREATE Education Project through their email – enquiries@createeducation.com or ring them on 01257 276 116 to ask how the team can support you in getting 3D Printing into your education organisation.
They offer:
- Free webinars
- Free Resources
- CPD and training
- Education technology loan scheme
- 3D Printers
- 3D Scanners
- Mayku FormBoxes
- Filament, resin, and other comestibles
As well as lifetime support on all hardware bought and extended warranties and service plans.