By Julie Johansen
Recently, the Emery School District offered Digital Teaching and Learning (DTL) Grants for 3D printers. Along with a few other teachers in the district, Brenda Thomas, computer instructor at Ferron Elementary, applied for the grant and was awarded a 3D printer, complete with filament for the creation of the projects. She remarked that she applied for the grant because she felt that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education was extremely important to the future of her students.
Her main focus this year will be to have the fourth and fifth grade students create and design their own 3D project to print. The students are using a free online program called Tinkercad to create the projects to be printed. While creating their projects, they are using STEM skills such as dimensions, layering and design. The students are building confidence every day in the computer lab.
The students love the 3D printer but they are also opening their minds to the many careers in technology, Thomas explained.
Thomas expressed her appreciation to the district by stating, “I am so grateful to the Emery School District for offering this amazing grant that has allowed my students to be at the top of technology.”
