From (l-r) Trey Moor, Korey Sederburg, Michael Tichy with new 3-D printer.

By: Mary Fasse-Shaw

Beam me up, Scotty! The future is here! At least it is at the Garwin High School and Middle School (GMG School District) with their purchase of a 3-D plastic printer, made possible with a grant from the Tama County Community Foundation (TCCF).

Those who are fans of the Star Trek series might remember that Scotty, the ship’s chief engineer, could replicate a needed part for the starship Enterprise’s engines on some type of 3-D device. GMG students may not be making starship parts, but they have been learning and experimenting with what they might be able to do with the school’s new 3-D printer.

Garwin High School and Middle School Principal Mark Polich stated, “I think it is just great modern technology available for our students.” Currently, there are only a handful of students who are teaching themselves how to use the Makerbot Application Program and the Blender Graphics Design Program, a 3-D Cad (Computer-Aided Design) Program, with the tutelage of their Industrial Arts Instructor, Mike Spurlin. Students, also, get ideas and patterns for different items from the Thingiverse Website. Mr. Spurlin stated, “The 3-D printer is a super new tool to have for our students. You are starting to see it used in everyday life and GMG is just beginning to learn and use the printer.”

So far, students have experimented with making a working trumpet mouth piece, small doll house furniture, as well as an iPhone cover, just to name a few objects. Administration, staff, and students are still considering the possibilities of this printer and how it will benefit students and the school. A couple of initial ideas were room numbers and name badges.

GMG students had the opportunity to visit Fisher Controls and see the types of parts that a 3-D metal printer could make. According to Principal Polich, the Fisher Control employees were pleased that a local school was using the 3-D printer technology, as familiarity with this type of program, as well as CAD technology, is beneficial for any future employees and for the company. Principal Polich, also stated that 3-D technology, both plastic and metal, has made a real car with individual parts that were eventually put together as well as prosthetic limbs. The possibilities are endless.

Junior Korey Sederburg is one of the select few students who have worked with the 3-D printer and programs. Sederburg states, “I believe there is a lot of potential behind this technology and that there is much that it can accomplish.”

The TCCF is able to assist 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, schools, and governmental organizations with grant funding to support needed programs and important projects in Tama County. Helping the Garwin Middle and High School purchase their 3-D printer is just one example of such.

The TCCF has been created by and for the people of Tama County. The Foundation’s main goals are to support charitable projects and programs, to attract additional funds, and to assist donors in creating lasting legacies through a variety of giving options within the county. For more information about the TCCF, contact Brian Sokol, Chair of the Tama County Community Foundation, 641-484-2980, or Mary Fasse-Shaw, TCCF’s Development Associate at 641-751-5251.