Roswell School Gets $20K Donation For 3D Printing Lab

From Emerson: New technologies like 3D printing and laser cutting are growing nearly as fast as the applications for using them. Last year alone, more than 320,000 patents were granted for 3D printing technologies, making it the second-fastest-growing technology of 2017. Now one area school, the Fulton Academy of Science & Technology (FAST) in Roswell, will be able to bring more hands-on learning and prototyping into the curriculum for Fulton County students – all thanks to a donation from Emerson. The donation extends the STEM support that Emerson provided in 2016 for the “coding as a foreign language” program.

Emerson, a global leader in technology and engineering, donated $20,000 to fund the transformation of the school’s “makerspace” with a variety of tools, cutting-edge equipment like 3D printers and laser cutters, and training for faculty and staff. The donation will enable students to bring innovation to life and the staff to further integrate hands-on learning into the daily innovation curriculum, which is unique to the FAST charter. This exciting addition to FAST advances Emerson’s efforts to provide quality STEM education opportunities and will serve as a vessel of creativity and innovation for students at the K-8 charter school.

“We live in a rapidly changing world where more possibilities exist to create, innovate and change the status quo than ever before,” said Mark Dunson, chief strategy & business development officer for Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions. “We’re excited to provide a state-of-the-art space for kids to explore their creativity and, we hope, foster a lifelong passion for STEM. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact this makerspace has on the school and in the future lives of students.”

The students are ready to learn and explore, said FAST Principal Chris Mahoney.

“We are working to prepare students to be creative thinkers and problem solvers,” Mahoney said. “Makerspaces can come in all shapes and sizes. It is really a place where projects, tools, mentors, and expertise can come together. The addition of a 3-D printer and laser cutter will provide a boost to both innovation and creativity. This field is continuing to grow and presents incredible opportunities for our students. We are grateful to Emerson for the donation and look forward to seeing our students use this one-of-a-kind space.”

Image via Emerson