The sense of achievement was palpable in Area 251, the playful name of the cutting-edge anything-is-possible STEM Labs at the Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy.
As the printers hummed with the sounds of 3D printing, it was incredulous to absorb that students had engineered the printers themselves. Rolls of a special plastic-like material in vibrant colors were transformed into miniature boats, cars, cartoon characters and symbols as the students expertly navigated the complex process.
The impressive feat was achieved in under five days through a special RTMA student summer STEM session which empowered every participating student to build and program their very own 3D printer. Students were challenged to do their own research, and while there were two STEM faculty always present, they worked independently to construct their own machines.
The program was filled to capacity and by the week’s end, every student went home with not only a working 3D printer but also an array of items that had already been printed using them. “I even printed parts to upgrade my computer at home,” exclaimed Matan Chanashvill of Hillside, NJ and Brooklyn, NY. “I think it’s great that RTMA gave us this opportunity to not only learn about what 3D printers can do, but how to actually build our own machines.”
The RTMA STEM program prides itself on creativity and support for student ideas and initiative and some students took the project a set further. “I connected a mini computer to it,” said rising senior Avi Szczupakiewicz of Staten Island with obvious satisfaction. “That allows me to control my printer from my computer., and then I connected a webcam, so I can watch it in action from anywhere.”
Indeed the sky is the limit for students in the RTMA STEM labs and the program attracted students from all of the high school grades, and they worked together sharing ideas and seamlessly.
“Our students are learning real-life skills of creativity, engineering, and entrepreneurship,” said RTMA principal Rabbi Ami Neuman, “all while helping each other every step of the way! This is truly what learning is all about.”
