Making

Duke U Hosting New Ed Conference on 3D Printing

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 02/14/17

Duke University will be hosting a new conference on how to use 3D printing and digital fabrication in education, covering both K-12 and postsecondary. Construct3D 2017 runs May 5-7 and is expected to move to different institutions annually.

Although event organizers are still soliciting for speaker proposals, the coverage is intended to address:

• Experiences using 3D printing alone or with other types of digital fabrication;
• Original research on the general theme of using 3D printing to enhance learning outcomes;
• New methods for using 3D printing and digital fabrication in educational environments or to support academic research;
• Theoretical or educational concerns related to the topic; and
• Innovative ideas in research and education covering 3D printing and digital fabrication.

Currently, sponsors encompass 3D printer company Ultimaker, 3D design software maker Autodesk, CNC router company ShopBot and Duke's own Office of Information Technology. The latter runs a Co-Lab, which gives students and staff hands-on and cloud-based access to 50-plus 3D printers and related equipment in the campus' new Technology Engagement Center.

Registration for the event is $249 if done by Feb. 28; after that the price rises to $299.