Contest Giving Away 3D Printers to Schools

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 03/31/15
Lulzbot TAZ 5

Lulzbot TAZ 5

Schools have until April 5 to vie for one of 20 3D printers being given away by open source proponent Aleph Objects. The company's Lulzbot TAZ 5 sells for $2,200 and can print an object that's 11.7 inches by 10.8 inches by 9.8 inches.

Unlike many sub-$3,000 3D printers, this unit can print in more than ABS plastic; it accommodates wood filled filaments, polyester, bronze and copper filled filaments, polycarbonate, nylon and other materials. Also, the company encourages its customers to copy, modify and convert any of its hardware and software.

It continues that theme of openness in its product give-away. Any accredited grade school, community college, college, university or library can enter as long as they meet four requirements:

  • They own an educator-operated physical space with access to a computer;
  • They have some idea about how they'd integrate a LulzBot into the class projects;
  • They believe "in sharing resources and knowledge to build and make things"; and
  • They encourage the use of free software and open source hardware.

The entry form asks for particulars.

Further details are available on the contest site.

LulzBbot 3D printers are in use at Colorado State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Carnegie Mellon University, among others.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • From Fire TV to Signage Stick: University of Utah's Digital Signage Evolution

    Jake Sorensen, who oversees sponsorship and advertising and Student Media in Auxiliary Business Development at the University of Utah, has navigated the digital signage landscape for nearly 15 years. He was managing hundreds of devices on campus that were incompatible with digital signage requirements and needed a solution that was reliable and lowered labor costs. The Amazon Signage Stick, specifically engineered for digital signage applications, gave him the stability and design functionality the University of Utah needed, along with the assurance of long-term support.

  • cybersecurity analyst in a modern operations center monitors multiple digital screens showing padlock icons, graphs, and a global map with security markers

    Louisiana State University Doubles Down on Larger Student-Run SOC

    In an effort to provide students with increased access to real-world cybersecurity experience, Louisiana State University has expanded its relationship with cybersecurity solutions provider TekStream to launch TigerSOC, a new student-run security operations center.

  • flowing lines and geometric shapes representing data flow and analysis

    Complete College America Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), with the goal of helping higher education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes.

  • geometric pattern features abstract icons of a dollar sign, graduation cap, and document

    Maricopa Community Colleges Adopts Platform to Combat Student Application Fraud

    In an effort to secure its admissions and financial processes, Maricopa Community Colleges has partnered with A.M. Simpkins and Associates (AMSA) to implement the company's S.A.F.E (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) across the district's 10 institutions.