Airwolf 3D Attends 2016 Annual California STEM Symposium: Eva Wolf Participates in Learning Through Making Presentation

Airwolf 3D is a 3D printer manufacturer well-known for their dynamic presence within the industry, from introducing new hardware to offering hackathons and educational 3D printing weekend workshops for professionals. Recently they did some reporting of their own regarding their experience at the 2016 Annual California STEM Symposium in Anaheim, CA.

At the conference, the Airwolf team met with a wide range of teachers and those working in the educational system; in fact, one of their team members, CEO Eva Wolf, was part of a roundtable discussion with Jillian Johnson-Sharp from the Orange County Department of Education/CTe Partnership and Jack Gupton, a STEM educator. The subject was one that is certainly very relevant today, as they delved more deeply into how technology like 3D printing is working to strengthen STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) learning. Giving a presentation called The Engineering Process in Action: Learning through MAKING, they covered issues such as making in the classroom, executing engineering designs in the classroom, how Arduino can play a valuable role, and what results they have seen.

Eva Wolf of Airwolf 3D

All three speakers explained how their backgrounds have helped them to gain enormous expertise in the subject of STEM learning and technology. Jillian Johnson-Sharp is the ‘powerhouse’ behind the ocMaker Challenge, and in their recent blog, the Airwolf team points out that she has grown that particular event from seeing 46 entries in their first year to nearly 200 this year.

A career consultant, Jack Gupton now teaches at Walker Junior High STEAM Academy in La Palma, CA. As the founding teacher there, his specialty is in STEM learning. He instills enthusiasm for that curriculum in his students with projects focusing on programming, electronics and robotics, CAD, and manufacturing. He has also received the STEM Service Award (2015) from the Orange County Engineering Council.

Eva Wolf, co-founder and CEO of Airwolf 3D, ‘rounded out the team of presenters,’ with her experience in building initiatives and industry relationships that have been responsible for the success of Airwolf 3D. She has also been named one of the Most Influential Women in 3D Printing.

Along with giving strong attention to how important STEM education is to our future workforce, the presentation centered around the following for young innovators and inventors in the context of the classroom:

• Critical thinking
• Real-world technical skills
• Ability to work with a team

“Making through 3D printing, coupled with Arduino can be a powerful learning vehicle that empowers and engages students — and inspires them to be the inventors and innovators of tomorrow,” states the Airwolf team.

Those present at the event were able to see examples of engineering projects ‘in action,’ along with ideas for creating a 3D printing/Arduino class. Airwolf offers more about the presentation here, and welcomes anyone who has questions regarding their resources or the talk to email info@airwolf3d.com. Discuss in the Airwolf forum at 3DPB.com.