Yesterday we achieved our crowd funding target for Forest School’s 3D Printer… let me tell you a story…
The invitation was despatched, “You are cordially invited to a presentation at the House of Commons on the afternoon of Thursday 4th December hosted by Barry Sheerman MP for Huddersfield and formerly Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee for Children, Schools and Families. The presentation will highlight the use of Three Dimensional Printing (3DP) in education and how crowdfunding can be used to fund 3DP ‘out of school’ clubs. These clubs enable young people to discover their interests, aptitudes and skills in design and manufacturing and thus be attracted to pursue high value creative careers.”
Simon Krystman from Amersham, director of CrowdPatch, the UK’s only commission free crowd funding platform teamed up with YouInvent to share the benefits of learning about the latest technologies if we are to encourage more of our young people to get involved in science, technology, engineering & mathematics.
On 10th December, Dean Ralph, Subject Leader of Design and Technology at Forest School sent out an email to all parents asking for small donations of £5+ towards the total of £2000 which would pay for a 3D printer, a 3D scanner, a range of new software and support materials for their 3DP Out of School Club.
A few parents were quick off the mark but most started joining in over the weekend, with the flood gates opening as the fund topped £1000… by Thursday morning, 18th December, the target had been achieved and the new printer & materials ordered for those lucky pupils at Forest School 😉
I was delighted to learn that Forest has a 3D printer thanks to the initiative of teachers, the generosity of parents and the combined effort of the school community. It is good if schools can use the latest technologies to enrich lessons and ensure pupils are up to date with their understanding of science and technology.
John Redwood MP
Any over fund will be spent on materials and who knows, potentially more machines and scanners like those pictured!
The key to success is:
- Supportive teachers, ready to champion a 3DP Out of School Club
- Parents happy to respond and engage online with a new platform
- A few good citizens willing to tell the wider community how they can help their local school
What I am now looking for are those teachers who will follow Dean’s lead and champion their need for a 3DP Out of School Club with their Head Teachers so we can get campaigns rolling out across Berkshire at a school near you ASAP.
Thank you.
Jon Davey
Crowd Patch Champion
jonathanldavey@gmail.com
07717 820823
Business in Berkshire 
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