The 3D-STEM Program

Developed by The 3D Center of Excellence

 3D-STEM – Purpose and Mission

The purpose of the 3D-STEM curriculum is to educate the present and future generation in 3D technologies as the new wave of education.  The mission of the 3D-STEM curriculum is to educate a generation of young citizens with a new skill set in the global market with employable skills and or entrepreneurial minds for sustainability.

3D-STEM curriculum is the first of its kind; an advanced, glasses-free 3D visualization and curriculum offered as a comprehensive two year program. The program focuses on developing a workforce and entrepreneurs with a proper skills set to fill positions in gaming, security, TV production, design, education, biology, science, and medical applications. The institute curriculum consists of enhanced educational methods based on interactive digital technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and practical methods. Students will be linked to internships, mentors and experts within the field; helping to develop the students’ technical and entrepreneurial skill sets.

3D-STEM enhances the learning process and improves overall test scores by incorporating the use of 3D technology into the classroom. The concept is unique and complimentary to other established programs and their efforts to incorporate technology in the classroom.

 3D-STEM is the first program to utilize the concept of 3D without glasses.

3D-STEM will engage and offer students an interactive approach to accelerate the learning process.

3D-STEM experience new values of learning beyond the traditional classroom environment. The familiarity and usability young people have with technology is a reflection of the era in which they were born into. The 3D curriculum version provides students with a clear and complete visualization of difficult concepts and subject matter. The active use of 3D technology in educational environments has demonstrated results to reduce illiteracy, accelerate learning, increase retention rates, improve test scores, enhance motivation to learn, increase job opportunities and vocational rehabilitation.  Other benefits of 3D education are the elimination of persistent achievement gaps and in regard to health benefits of 3D learning.

3D-STEM curriculum provides insight into medical concerns by diagnosing vision problems among students at early ages and by identifying students who are having other deficiencies that are interfering with their academic enhancement.

3D-STEM  curriculum has positive influence of education infused with the integration of technology is realized. The individuals who have made the incorporation of 3D technology in educational institutes a priority have experienced the positive results of 3D technology. These individuals collectively and independently have given to causes designed to uplift and to educate others, especially the next generation of leaders who were born into the technology era.

Careers in 3D

This report outlines the growing trends in job opportunities. These trends identify technology as the number one ingredient that will affect over 70% of all new jobs by the year 2022, according to the United States Department of Commerce. Included in this technological explosion are 3D technologies.  Certainly, the movie industry has led the way but now other industries are gaining traction and will continue to grow for the next  10 to 15 years, at least.  Advances in 3D medical applications include MRIs, CAT Scans, diagnostics, and just recently, 3D mammography equipment, which provides an astonishing 40% more information than standard mammography equipment.

One industry that is catching fire is 3D printing. Recently, one of the largest 3D printing service providers in the industry, Sculpteo, released a comprehensive, in-depth report on where the 3D printing industry stands. The report suggested that the 3D printing industry is rapidly growing.

Additive manufacturing was introduced more than 25 years ago. However, only recently has broad industrial and consumer interest in 3D printing ignited, creating new fabrication opportunities and disrupting traditional supply chains. The opportunities for 3D printing are enormous and become even greater when focus is placed on training the next generation of scientists, engineers, designers, artists and inventors on design for 3D printing.

The market is predicted to reach $5.9 billion in 2017 and is forecasted to grow to $49.1 billion by 2025, representing a growth of 23.7% within 10 years. And, the segment that will grow the fastest is the higher education segment.

Consumer goods represent 26% of the current market, and industrial goods represent 14%. However, the industry is about to take a major expansion in the higher education segment. It currently represents only 6% of the market but is expected to grow to approximately 20%, within the next five years, as schools implement 3D printers in their programs. According to United States Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (2016), there are 98,454 Public schools in the United States, and 30,861 Private schools.  The educational applications are significant.

Up until now, broad adoption is often stifled due to 3D printers being too difficult to use and costly – an issue being addressed by a growing community of educators and thought leaders determined to get students everywhere exposed to 3D printing. This effort includes “teaching the teachers” about 3D printing and how they can help students put 3D printing into practice by incorporating 3D printing into their own curricula. By giving students application-specific (and real-world) experiences, they are able to not only able to thrive in the classroom, but are inspired to challenge the status quo in ways never before thought possible.

Already proven to play a critical role in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), 3D printing is transforming how students learn by offering a hands-on experience that inspires students to pay attention to details, get more creative and see the physical realization of their work. Simply talking about the way a student should do something only goes so far.

Getting students to truly create something makes it real and can ultimately inspire them to take the incremental steps that often lead to being the one to invent the “next big thing”, since they are challenged to think differently.  Each student we have seen working with a 3D printer is excited, asking questions and demonstrating genuine interest in engineering. This is because they are no longer constrained and have every ability to create things and bring their own ideas to life.

Bottom line: 3D printing is coming out of the lab and going into schools across the United States and around the world. It’s the beginning of a brave new era of creation, collaboration, invention and innovation, where the next great idea can be dreamed—and then built—by anyone, anywhere.

Placing a focus on making 3D printing accessible to every student, regardless of background, will result in a radical shift in the innovation cycle and we should all try to be a catalyst in this area. Expect to see continued increase in the use of 3D printing.

3D Imaging Technologies to Have Maximum Impact on Health and Entertainment Sectors
The global market is witnessing rapid developments in three-dimensional (3D) imaging, an optical technique in which two images of the same object are blended to create a 3D appearance. Positive market trends and improvements in hardware configurations have made real-time, interactive 3D imaging applications available to everyone. Investors are flocking to entrepreneurs and  start-ups to enjoy a share of revenues the market will likely generate.

3D display technology includes anaglyphy, stereoscopy, auto-stereoscopy, holography and volumetric displays as well as 3D modeling, scanning, layout and animation, and rendering.  Stereoscopy and autostereoscopy are the key technologies used in consumer electronics. These technologies also form the backbone of the 3D entertainment industry, which includes cinema, animation and gaming.

3D imaging technologies have found their way into multiple industries, enhancing visualization and customer experience. However, the two major industries in which 3D imaging technology will have an impact are healthcare and entertainment. In healthcare, the ultrasound segment has benefitted the most from 3D imaging technologies. The increase in usage of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography will also fuel uptake. Its ability to facilitate fast and accurate diagnosis and thus provide better patient care has attracted the healthcare segment to 3D imaging technologies. In the entertainment space, strong demand for 3D animation and gaming has been responsible for growing adoption rates.

3D imaging technologies offer several advantages, and deliver cost-effective 3D systems can provide high-quality information and images.  Unfortunately, general acceptance of 3D imaging technologies has been slow due to the need to wear 3D glasses and headaches, fatigue and nausea associated with viewing 3D images. Along with these factors, overall lack of 3D content has kept market development in check.

Other 3D career opportunities

When discussing 3D job opportunities, it should be noted that the 3D industry is still in its infancy. It is not the job openings today that need to be measured; it is where the job market has to go, simply because we live in a technology-driven economy. The statistics we should be recognizing are the ones that validate the future growth with several industries already implementing these technologies, which are being used today.

 Immediate Career Opportunities upon completion of Course 1 (Placement would take place within 90 days of completion of the basic course)

• 3D Printer Assembly
• 3D Printer Installer
• Pre K-12 Classroom Technology Implementation Assistant
• Retail 3D Sales
• Course 1 Coordinator

Career Opportunities upon completion of Advanced Course 2

• Gaming
• 3D printing
• Education
• Digital Signage
• CAD  Assistant
• Sales & Marketing
• Medical Imaging
• Security
• Simulation
• 3D Drone Operation

• Air Traffic Control
• 3D Animation
• TV & Film Production
• Post Production
• I ED Internal Inspection

Please note: Internships would be made available with schools and organizations upon completion of one or all of the courses.