Makerbot Launches SKETCH Classroom

  • By Yvonne Marquez
  • 02/05/20

Makerbot, a 3D printer company and subsidiary of Stratasys, recently launched MakerBot SKETCH Classroom, a 3D printing setup for the classroom that maximizes student access and helps teachers manage printing resources and student projects.

Makerbot, a 3D printer company and subsidiary of Stratasys, recently launched MakerBot SKETCH Classroom, a 3D printing setup for the classroom that maximizes student access and helps teachers manage printing resources and student projects.

More and more schools are implementing new technologies to develop students’ problem-solving and design thinking skills, like 3D printing. It can be challenging for teachers and students to learn how to use the 3D printer, integrate the technology into the curriculum and manage 3D printing resources in the classroom.

The SKETCH Classroom aims to address these challenges by offering a workflow solution that addresses the printer-to-student ratio challenge and provides a setup for effective printing. In addition, SKETCH Classroom includes certification courses for both teachers and students that trains them on how to operate the printer and includes curriculum in 3D printing, innovative design thinking, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.   

“With SKETCH, we are changing the way 3D printing is used in schools and advancing the possibilities of learning to boost student innovation. We believe that SKETCH Classroom is the best 3D printing setup for the classroom, with an ideal student-to-printer ratio, making 3D printing more accessible to students, and setting educators up for 3D printing success,” Nadav Goshen, CEO of MakerBot, said in a statement.

The SKETCH Classroom includes two 3D printers with a fully-enclosed printing chamber, a heated and flexible build plate, a particulate filter, touchscreen capabilities, on-board camera, and Wi-Fi capabilities. The SKETCH firmware and print management software are connected to the MakerBot Cloud which includes a full suite of 3D printing applications. Students are able to submit their designs via MakerBot Cloud through their MakerBot account and teachers can manage, queue up and monitor students’ projects.

SKETCH Classroom is expected to begin shipping on Feb. 17. For more information about SKETCH Classroom, visit www.makerbot.com/sketch.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at ymarquez@1105media.com.

Featured

  • Texas A&M Adds ALPR Technology to Parking Solutions

    Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, recently integrated automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology into its parking services and enforcement strategies, according to a news release. The university’s Transportation Services division deployed Genetec AutoVu ALPR to manage the campus’ 36,000+ parking spaces.

  • Massachusetts Charter School Opens New Academic Building

    The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA) in Marlborough, Mass., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new academic building, according to a news release. The 17,000-square-foot space will serve as a classroom and science lab building for the student population of almost a thousand in grades 6–12.

  • Minnesota District Partners with Kraus-Anderson on Four Construction Projects

    Stillwater Area Schools in Lake Elmo, Minn., recently announced a partnership with Kraus-Anderson for construction projects at four schools in the district, according to a news release. The projects’ funding comes from a $175-million referendum passed in November 2023.

  • Boosting Student Wellness and Safety Through Indoor-Outdoor School Spaces

    Engaging students through facilities designed for indoor and outdoor learning and activities reflects a growing awareness of how children learn and thrive, with educators recognizing the importance of getting outside and disconnecting from technology. And, as today’s youth grapple with the urgent mental health crisis of increased anxiety and loneliness fueled by both the pandemic and technology, along with a related crisis in youth physical health, the wellness benefits of getting outside have never been so palpable.