For the third year, we are thrilled to expand our partnership with MakerBot, a leader in desktop 3D printing, to provide Mouse students with opportunities to learn and create through 3D design and fabrication.

From new MakerBots for Mouse schools in NYC, to apprenticeships with the American Museum of Natural History, we are able to provide exciting opportunities to our Mouse students and educators!

This year, MakerBot has once again partnered with Mouse to extend its 3D Design and Fabrication program to 38 schools across New York City and through our Mouse Corps Design and Technology program to extend the ways members rapid prototype aspects of new assistive and adaptive designs.

Mouse school are using the Replicator printers, which are bigger than earlier models and have the ability to print in two colors. By providing students with the opportunity to use MakerBot printers in their schools, our Mouse students enhance their STEM skills while creating amazing 3D projects!

While many schools use their 3D printers to transform the teaching of science technology, engineering or math, creative Mouse coordinators such as Lori Stahl-VanBrackle of JHS 157 Stephen A. Halsey are using their MakerBot 3D printer to transform history lessons. At JHS 157 Stephen A. Halsey School in Queens, students are using Tinkercad, a 3D printing program tool, to design Staunton Chess pieces based on a book, historical event or battle.

At the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics, Mouse Squad Coordinator Michelle Sims plans to make students more environmentally aware through the plan “Operation Green Bot.” In this operation, Sims and her students will use their MakerBot to decrease the school’s carbon footprint and to create a 3D model of the school grounds for a proposed urban program.

During their February vacation, some Mouse students will also be able to experience MakerBot in the professional world! Eight students from two Mouse schools participating in our 3D printing and Fabrication program will have the opportunity to participate in a Digital Achivist Apprenticeship at the American Museum of Natural History.

At this apprenticeship, students and their Squad coordinators will take part in exciting projects such as researching and digitizing objects, learning how to design museum exhibits and printing 3D models on a MakerBot Replicator 2 printer to bring back to their schools!

Through our partnership with MakerBot, Mouse is thrilled to continue offering students and schools innovative opportunities to enhance curriculum with 3D printing, transform learning, and expand skills necessary for future career success!