3D Printing: a Cultural accelerator for Education Erasmus Project

Project Title

3D Printing: a Cultural accelerator for Education

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Partnerships for Creativity

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Early childhood education and care; Creativity and culture

Project Summary

Technology, Education and Culture form a knowledge triangle. Technology nowdays seems to be the accelerator of cultural education. Children at very early age are notice the existence of technology through personal computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones. According to Donohue (2015), technology and digital media, have become a part of the children’s world. Both teachers and educational researchers state that technology assist pupils to reveal new horizons, to understand concepts, beliefs, attitudes, easier than previous years. Culture is an ongoing learning procedure and based on statistics, is a difficult process. Ball (2010) notes that developing a cultural understanding of a person begins from an early childhood stage. The culture in each society is unique and it consists of language, norms, values, beliefs, religion, social gatherings, rules and methods, statements and sub cultures (Manohar,2008). The most important specification of culture is that it’ s allocated to the society where it has been formed (Vidal,1926). Child culture is particularly defined as the knowledge shared by a large group of children in a specific society (Ibrahim, Younes,et al, 2007). Children are born into their society’s culture and thus become participants in it (Thyssen,2003).

Our children live in a digital world overflowing with information and communication technology tools. Pedagogical use of digital technologies in preschool and primary school acquires wide use. However, the current pandemic of the COVID has highlighted the urgent need, to take actions in terms of digital transformation of education and training systems throughout Europe. Additionally, the COVID crisis particularly affects the cultural and creative sectors. The impact of the COVID-19 on the cultural sector is social, economic and political and it affects the fundamental right of access to culture and the protection of a diversity of cultural expressions.

The project also aims to support students a) on the development of the ability of research and invest on culture and knowledge and b) in the transition to digital education through the use and familiarization of new digital technologies.
Project will take actions that will help raise awareness on the importance of European cultural heritage through education, learning and participation of pupils in activities of manufacturing 3D monuments using 3D printing technology. With the help of 3D printing, pupils will be able to learn and create on their own, various cultural heritage monuments from EU countries, thus contributing to the dissemination and the promotion of culture among the collaborating institutions. 3D printing is an innovative technology that will encourage pupils to increase their imagination and empower their skills and creativity as it increases their ability of thinking – designing and producing. Via 3D printing kids will learn the concepts of measure, scale, sketch, manufacture and they try to print small or large objects, identical objects, or objects with small differences from the initial object

Furthermore, in this project we will seek to keep alive aspects of culture, which are slowly disappearing. The absence of cultural aspects implies changes to social economic and environmental conditions. It is important to use 3D printing and to teach children about different aspects of art, different civilizations, different structure of societies.

All above, implies to the implementation of a project based on the values and beliefs of STEAM concept (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics). Academians and school teachers will work together and develop a portfolio of educational tools, in order to teach their students Art (Cultural Monuments), Engineering (Manufacture 3D Monuments), Mathematics (measures and scales), Technology (3D Printing) and Science (Work and Think like a researcher)

Activities of this project include:
• Three curricula for the concepts of 3D printing and one for cultural monuments at education
• Two face to face (or distance learning) trainee programs for teachers.
• A portal will be developed in order to upload materials of the project as a communication spot between all partners and all stakeholders.
• An overall report, with evaluation results and proposals about learning education methods and tools.
• Organizing transnational (on line & face to face) meetings for: a) the acquaintance of students and teachers of the involved schools, b) the presentation of areas and the promotion of cultural monuments, c) the exchange of know-how regarding the integration of the concepts of culture and 3D printing in three different national primary education systems, according to the experience of the schools involved.

3D4CE will increase pupil’s imagination and encourage them to learn about the monuments and the culture of the 6 European regions using digital tools adapting to the new post-COVID 19 era, promoting tradition and cultural heritage.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 237464 Eur

Project Coordinator

PANEPISTIMIO AIGAIOU & Country: EL

Project Partners

• Agrupamento de Escolas de Marrazes
• ISA13 Istituto Comprensivo Sarzana
• AGIA MARINA SCHOOL
• Trito Nipiagogeio Archaggelou Rodou
• Paidi & Dimiourgia
• 2nd Primary School of Chios Greece