Women in STEM camp

Women in STEM Camp at America Makes Empowering Young Women for a Future in Engineering

During the week of June 13th, 2016, 3D printing aficionado Ashley Martof hosts a “Women in STEM Camp.” Ashley, a Graduate Research Assistant at Youngstown State University, holds the camp at the national accelerator for additive manufacturing – America Makes. For five days, young women between grades four and eight have a chance to fuel their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, (STEM), and see firsthand what opportunities lie before them in their potential careers.

This year JuggerBot 3D had the privilege to join in on the fun. Camp-goers participated in a game that was developed by the JuggerBot team involving their state-of-the-art human-machine interface. The game replicated five steps that a JuggerBot ecosystem user could potentially encounter. First, the competitors calibrated a machine, swapped out unwanted materials for Nylon on extruder one and PLA on the second extruder, recalled an old print from within their library and began a print. Then, competitors cancelled the print and prepared a new part with different density, resolution, and scale. After a short time reviewing the interface tutorial, all participants were able to complete the game in less than nine minutes. In first place was Aubree Neuhaus, [pictured right], a ten year old student of The Lewis School in Youngstown Ohio, with an impressive time of three minutes and two seconds! This is even more impressive when you consider the fact that, when asked how long it takes for an operator to set up and begin a 3D print using other providers, the majority of manufacturers answered one to four hours!

The results of this game are a testament to two things: the future is bright for these young women who attend the, “Women in STEM Camp,” and there is great power in an intuitive human-machine interface.

For more information on the camp, please contact Ashley at anmartof@gmail.com. To learn more about the power of JuggerBot 3D’s human-machine interface and 3D printing ecosystem, visit www.juggerbot3d.com and/or contact me at dan@juggerbot3d.com.