At the start of the academic year, EMPOWER3D organized dedicated training sessions for primary school teachers. These sessions were held during the summer and early autumn and focused on introducing participants to 3D design using TinkerCAD, as well as hands-on practice with Prusa Mini 3D printers. The training programme has been co-developed by the project’s international partners to ensure consistency in quality and approach across countries.
In France, the training took place across ENSAM’s campuses in Paris, Angers and Cluny. This multi-site organization allowed the project to reach schools in a wide range of territories — from dense urban environments to peri-urban and rural areas — ensuring balanced geographical coverage. Furthermore, as part of its local engagement strategy, ENSAM has also established a partnership with the municipality of Tremblay-en-France (Seine-Saint-Denis) to facilitate participation from schools in priority education areas and, thus, promote inclusivity.
In Ireland and Czech Republic, multiple sessions were also hold between summer 2024 and autumn 2025.
The sessions are designed to be easily practicable and accessible. Teachers are guided step by step through the fundamentals of 3D modelling, printer operation, safety considerations and use of the pedagogical materials. Beyond technical skills, the training also addresses how to structure creative projects for young pupils and how to link digital fabrication activities with broader educational themes such as sustainability and problem-solving.
At the end of the training, participants schools are provided with a Prusa Mini 3D printer. This enables teachers to directly implement what they have learned in their classrooms and to take part in the consortium’s European competition, where pupils showcase the projects they have designed and printed. This also allow the project to expand his lifespan, as teachers will still be able, in a pedagogical context, to use the printer and their newly obtained skills after the “official end” of the project.
All documents related to teacher training can be found on the “Resources” page.
Images from some training sessions across Europe
