A great title for this experience. Three years ago, we started this experience, this project. What at first was nothing more than a headache, has later become something that has been put to use and, finally, has become a beautiful experience.
This project was born from a European initiative with the aim of learning about 3D printing and, in addition, facing today’s social problems. Consequently, the project adopted the title of 3D2ACT. Several schools, universities and institutions from the Netherlands, Greece, Italy and Cyprus, among others, have participated with us. The project began in the time of Covid, and unfortunately, the opportunity to meet each other came late. The project started by videoconference, and not seeing each other or interacting with a screen became commonplace. The first step in this experience was to create a platform for students where worksheets and exercises were developed. In these sheets, the steps to be able to design the pieces, to obtain them from the internet, the information to learn about 3D printers, the guidelines to start them up, to print the pieces and the different materials that we can find are the main content that we can find. . All these documents are necessary for the students to have an initial idea of the design and printing of pieces. Precisely, and following this methodology, our students have been able to LEARN about the new OnShape design program.
In addition, this platform also explains what social companies are, the different social situations and what marketing plans are.
So, what is the point of all this? Our students have had to design, print and sell something to address a social problem using this platform. This has been the idea with which this project has been completed. In addition, and seeking to reinforce the motivation of the students, it was decided to hold an international contest among all the students participating in the project.
After our Politeknika Txorierri students learned about the program in class, they discovered the social problem: designing something that can help someone with communication problems. The students believed that the easiest thing to do was to design something for someone with physical problems and therefore they decided to work from a different perspective. They began by analysing the current market looking for products that could replace the social problems that were presented to them. After this process, they decided to design something that would allow people to communicate their daily needs. This product should be for a child, a young person or an adult, so it couldn’t be a game, something that takes up a lot, something that weighs a lot, something complicated. So they decided to make a bracelet. It was about being able to place and remove the buttons that the pictogram contains on that bracelet. Depending on the needs of each person, to be able to remove some and put others, that is, that each one can customize their own. After designing and printing all this came BIZIA, a trip to Cyprus. In addition to receiving more training, the students have had to sell their idea. Before a jury, present your idea and sell it. The other students have also brought excellent ideas, but just like that and all Politeknika Txorierri’s students have won the contest and the satisfaction it entails. In summary, 3D2ACT has been an enriching project for students, teachers and for everyone. In addition to working on technical and social aspects, communicating in a language we are not used to, working with different people, it has been wonderful. An experience that will remain in the memory for all.
