Shaping Your Future: 3D Printing and Augmented Reality

Primary school visit to IMR Lab

Project Year: 2019

Funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Programme

Shaping Your Future was a collaborative pilot project between Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and I-Form, the SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing. Funded by the SFI Discover Programme, the initiative offered primary and post-primary students a unique opportunity to engage with 3D printing and emerging manufacturing technologies in a hands-on, real-world context.

About the Project

This year-long programme aimed to spark curiosity in STEM by introducing students to the world of additive manufacturing through immersive learning experiences. By combining creativity, technology, and problem-solving, the project helped students envision how engineering can be used to solve real-life challenges.

Programme Highlights

- - Primary School Workshops

Over 100 primary students participated in on-site workshops at IMR, where they explored the basics of 3D modelling and printing through interactive, beginner-friendly activities.

- - Post-Primary Design Challenge

100 Transition Year students were invited to tackle a societal challenge: design and 3D print a device that could support a person with a disability or offer humanitarian aid in a disaster zone. These projects encouraged empathy-driven innovation and purposeful design thinking.

- - Teacher CPD

10 Engineering and Technology teachers took part in a dedicated workshop on incorporating 3D printing into classroom practice—gaining confidence with new tools and developing lesson strategies around STEM learning.

- - Researcher Outreach

IMR researchers visited participating schools to provide mentoring, share insights into engineering careers, and guide students through the design process.

3D Printing Challenge winners – Keyzy from Loreto College Mullingar

Impact & Outcomes

Students who participated in the programme reported a deeper understanding of engineering and manufacturing, and many expressed new interest in STEM careers. Teachers highlighted the hands-on nature of the programme as a key strength, noting that access to physical infrastructure and direct interaction with researchers significantly enhanced learning.

One of the standout projects, Keyzy, developed by students from Loreto College Mullingar, was recognised as a top innovation in the challenge.