Werenfridus offers education from many different perspectives. In doing so, it is important to keep pace with societal developments as much as possible. This explicitly includes developments in science and technology, precisely because these have a major impact on daily life.

A development that has been meteoric over the past twenty years, and is therefore sometimes called the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, is Computer Aided Design using 3D printers. For those less familiar with it: these are devices that can print three-dimensional objects. Literally. With all sorts of different materials, ranging from plastics, metals, food, to concrete. These types of machines have become increasingly accessible to people outside of science and industry over the last 10 years, you could say, the consumer.

Why at school? 

In the future, the use of 3D printers will become increasingly ‘normal’. We are moving towards a technological change where everyone will be able to print their own products. But why a 3D printer at school? By introducing pupils to 3D printers and to the design of 3D designs at an early age, they will have a significant head start over pupils who have not ‘grown up’ with this.

People who have already experienced the phenomenon of 3D printing are wildly enthusiastic. It enhances skills such as independence and collaboration in pupils. The creative thinking ability and technical insight of children are also stimulated. These factors are also important for boosting education in the areas of mathematics, design, engineering and technology. And it is precisely for this reason that Werenfridus chose 3D printers for the school.

What do we do at Werenfridus?

Creating 3D-printed objects requires a three-dimensional model of the desired object to be made first on a computer using special 3D programmes. This is a significant step in itself, as it requires spatial awareness, dealing with sometimes uncooperative software, and occasionally even programming work. 3D printing is already being used by adventurous pupils from the first year up to the senior years for projects in Creative Arts, Global Citizenship, and visual arts.