Jan 30, 2015 | By Simon
Although 3D printing has been responsible for drastically changing technology and manufacturing in developed countries, it is also having just as much - if not an even bigger - impact on countries where technology is oftentimes outdated and in some cases, completely made with DIY approaches.
Perhaps the biggest impact of all though is how 3D printing is helping to aid interest in STEM education in ways that coding, mathematics and other non-physical products may not.
Among other organizations that is taking advantage of the appeal of 3D printing for STEM-related purposes is Youth for Technology, a non-profit foundation that partners with low-income communities to enrich learning and solve community-based problems with technology. They are currently holding an Indiegogo campaign, 3D Africa, that focuses on bringing 3D printing to girls in Africa... where the cultural divide between men and women in STEM careers leaves much to be desired.
Youth for Technology brings up two case studies where they hope that they can make a difference with their campaign: A student in Nigeria by the name of Rita wasn’t allowed to go to school until last year because her parents would rather invest in her brother’s education, while 13-year old Margaret was taught by her parents that engineering makes a girl “less feminine” and that pursuing STEM-related subjects in school would make her less-favorable to men.
As African entrepreneurs and leaders continue to make developments towards bringing the technology to the continent, it makes perfect sense to set up a viable platform so that young girls can get started creating products at an early age to be prepared for a likely future that features an increase of STEM-related jobs without having to leave their home country.
In an interview with TechCrunch, Youth for Technology president and CEO Njideka Harry said that rather that the foundation decided to focus on additive manufacturing because the technologies “potentially could mitigate the unemployment situation in Africa by bridging the gap between education and employment.”
Although some might wonder why the program is focused on girls specifically, there are programs already in place for boys; however due to cultural biases towards girls, the foundation feels like it is especially important to provide an infrastructure that helps support the girls without them having to feel discouraged to enter career fields such as science, engineering and math.
As 3D printing continues to take off worldwide into a $550 billion dollar market within the next ten years, now is the time for younger generations to become involved in subjects in school that can prepare them STEM-related careers.
“Importantly, 3D printing enables on-demand production, which has interesting implications for supply chains and for stocking spare parts-a major cost for manufacturers,” added Harry. “The technology can transform the continent from ‘Aid to Africa’ to ‘Made in Africa.’”
The first leg of the 3D Africa program will roll out in Nigeria with plans to expand the program to other African countries in the near future. You can help support the campaign over at Youth for Technology’s Indiegogo campaign page.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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