STEM boost for West Cumbrian schools

Technology is at the forefront of education and students and teachers at 14 Cumbrian schools are set to benefit, thanks to a collaboration between 3D 360 and Sellafield.

3D printing and digital manufacturing business 3D 360 are providing equipment and five days of specialist teacher training to enable young people to experience digital manufacturing and to make STEM subjects more appealing.

Through 3D 360’s LIFT (Local Industry Funding Technology) programme, companies can fund equipment and training for single or multiple schools in their area.

Sellafield agreed to support and fund the LIFT programme in West Cumbria which has enabled 14 schools to receive training and equipment through its SiX – Social Impact Multiplied – programme. 

Lee Fogg, Technical Director of 3D 360 said: “We are so thankful to Sellafield Ltd for supporting our LIFT programme. Our original scheme proposed 12 local schools but combining some of the smaller and specialist schools has allowed 14 schools to benefit from the programme.

“This technology and training will help students gain vital practical skills in a fast-growing industrial sector and help address the decline in STEM subjects by providing a whole new style of learning for students who may find the typical academic curriculum difficult.

“Our aim is to deliver the LIFT project in West Cumbria and then look to include more schools and youth groups across the entire region.”

The schools involved in the initial scheme are:

• Beacon Hill Community School, Aspatria;
• Cockermouth School;
• Cumbria Academy for Autism, Workington;
• Mayfield, Whitehaven;
• Millom School;
• Netherhall School, Maryport;
• Solway Community School, Silloth;
• St Benedict’s, Whitehaven;
• St Josephs, Workington;
• West Cumbria Learning Centre, Workington
• West Cumbria Learning Centre, Whitehaven;
• West Lakes Academy, Egremont;
• Whitehaven Academy
• Workington Academy

Schools will receive 3D printers, safety enclosures, 3D CAD training, Mayku desktop vacuum formers, Cricut digital die-cutting machines, graphic tablets and five days of specialist training for two teachers.

Tracey West, Sellafield Social Impact Manager said: “It is important to us to ensure that we are providing the next generation with skills that enable them to access a future sustainable income and that 3D printing and digital manufacturing is going to continue to play a key role in the future of manufacturing.”

Run by research and development engineers Lee and business partner Paul Bullock, 3D 360 is an engineering company known for being a subject matter expert in 3D printing (Additive Manufacturing), Digital Manufacturing and 3D CAD.

The company operates out of a range of bases across Cumbria including in Whitehaven and Bowness.