Oct 9, 2018 | By Thomas
British scientists from The Big Bang Fair have created a range of meals using a 3D printer for a school in east London to encourage young people to pursue STEM careers.
Scientists from the annual Big Bang Fair, which promotes science, technology and maths (STEM) subjects, worked with St Helen's Primary School in Canning Town to create 3D printed meals such as geometric fish and chips, and hexagonal beans as part of the project.
Claire O’Sullivan from St. Helen’s Primary School, said: “We were delighted when The Big Bang Fair approached us to be part of the 3D printed school dinners project.
“Demonstrating STEM in this way is a fantastic opportunity to allow our pupils to see innovative technology first-hand and there is nothing that gets them more excited than bringing classroom learning to life.”
On the menu for children at St Helen’s Primary in Canning Town are:
- Geometric fish and chips, including hexagonal beans, cod and potato
- Cauliflower cogs
- Hummus and guacamole ‘lizard’ featuring avocado scales
- Fibonacci spiral squash
- 3D broccoli stars
- Fruit and yoghurt Pi
The meals, served during school lunchtime this week, followed a survey by the Big Bang Fair that found 71% of 11-16 year-olds think it’s crucial to have access to this kind of technology at school – not just in science labs and classrooms, but the school gym, playground and even the canteen, with 40% believing it will enable them to learn something while they eat.
The study into youngsters’ attitudes to 3D printing also revealed their open-mindedness and optimism about the vast possibilities this technology holds: one fifth (20%) believe we will all have 3D printers in our homes as the norm within 3-4 years, and two thirds (67%) of kids believe it will be the norm within 10 years.
"Our research and this trial show just how big an appetite there is amongst young people to experience new technologies," said Beth Elgood from EngineeringUK, organisers of the Big Bang Fair.
"Building on young people's curiosity about how they might shape the world in the future and inspiring them to think about where their science, technology, engineering and maths studies might take them, is what the Big Bang Fair and Competition are all about," she said.
The team hopes the futuristic meals will inspire children to take up careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Beth Elgood, Director of Communications at EngineeringUK, organisers of The Big Bang Fair and Competition, said: “Our research and this trial show just how big an appetite there is amongst young people to experience new technologies. Indeed, this year’s UK Young Engineer of the Year, Josh Mitchell, developed a flat-pack printer that he hopes will make 3D printing more accessible to everyone. Building on young people’s curiosity about how they might shape the world in the future and inspiring them to think about where their science, technology, engineering and maths studies might take them, is what The Big Bang Fair and Competition are all about.”
Brenda Yearsley, UK Schools and Education Development Manager, Global Social Innovation Team at Siemens, a long term supporter of the Fair, added, "3D printing is fast becoming a mainstream technology but that makes it no less groundbreaking and exciting, with a vast number of applications across sectors, from medicine to motor sports, improving lives across the board and enabling STEM specialists to make ever bigger leaps and bounds in their fields".
The Big Bang Fair will be running March 13th – 16th next year in Birmingham.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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