Rock Hill, S.C. - The Georgia Institute of Technology has chosen 3D Systems Corp. to provide its personal and professional 3D printers to select high schools across the U.S. as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Manufacturing Experimentation and Outreach (MENTOR) program.
The DARPA MENTOR program is designed to boost engineering skills for high school students, as well as spark an interest in engineering, design, manufacturing, math, and science-related university programs. The four-year program is focused on engaging high school students in a series of collaborative design and manufacturing experiments, including using additive manufacturing technology commonly known as 3D printing.
"This program will provide students with skills they need to solve future design and engineering challenges, which will aid U.S. industry," says Dr. David Rosen, professor in mechanical engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology. "3D printers play an important role in the hands-on and 'minds-on' learning, which the MENTOR program facilitates. 3D Systems technology is instrumental to this program."
Starting in 2012, 3D Systems' printers and other brands of 3D printers will be installed in more than 20 high schools selected by the DARPA program as part of the first phase roll-out. Additional 3D printers will be placed in subsequent phases over a four-year period.
"We are proud to have been chosen by Georgia Tech and DARPA to participate in the MENTOR program over the next four years," explains Buddy Byrum, senior director, 3D printing for 3D Systems. "While we are excited by the opportunity to place our printers in these select schools, we believe the level of interest shown by an organization like DARPA is evidence of the crucial role these affordable 3D content-to-print solutions have in education and industry overall."