Project Summary

This project was elaborated with the main aim of improving at a European dimension the quality of professional skills and personal abilities of students and young people who seek to continuously improve their vocational preparation, with the final aim to facilitate their integration on the market field. This objective will be reached by teaching our learners about 3D printer’s technology, which is for several years on the list of future trends in technology, being the third in the top ten and with a very fast growing on the market, because of the possibilities of energy and cost savings 3D printing offers limitless future innovative opportunities.

Taking in account these considerations, we think that knowing the 3D printers technology and the possibilities that they offer is a necessity for the new generation. Through this project we intend to establish a European partnership for the education and training of the young generation in order to improve at a European dimension the quality of professional skills and personal abilities of students and young people who seek to continuously improve their vocational preparation, by making them aware of the possibilities that the 3D printer offers, with the final aim to facilitate their integration on the market field.

According to the reasons above,

(1) The main objective of the project is the production of a proper Learning Module (Intellectual Output) with more specific goals as below:

1a. Developing professional knowledge of students in the area of the 3D printer technology

1b. Developing students' professional competencies by learning basic steps in programming the 3Dprinter

1c. Improving students' personal competencies, abilities and their entrepreneurial skills by knowing the possibilities of setting up of a single company or Social Entrepreneurship

(2) A second objective is to be the produced material well adapted to the needs of students and young people generally, from different sectors, who want to incorporate the 3D printing possibilities into their work (Learning/Teaching Activities), and

(3) A third objective is to make this material as reachable as possible at least in the partners' countries (translation of the LM).

The target groups are:

(a) Students of vocational technical schools and other young people looking for improving their professional skills,

(b) Specialized teachers and trainers of partner institutions and other interested organisations who will gather European experience, improve their professional skills and further the quality of their work.

The participant partners are vocational schools with technical background, training companies that offer training course in new technologies and e-learning and a NGO that promote innovative teaching methodologies and ICT. The main result of the project (a Learning Module on the subject of 3D printer’s technology) will have two versions: for face-to-face teaching and for e-learning. Learning Module will have the following chapters: 1. 3D printer - generalities (history, technology, current printing processes, additive manufacturing, software, possibilities of use) 2. 3D printer and Internet of Technology (IoT, industry 4.0, impact on business, industry, society and politics, open-source community) 3. Programming for 3D printer (with CAD, SketchUp and 3D Scan) 4. Setting up of a singlecompany or Social Entrepreneurship.

The Learning Module, both versions, will be tested by students in the frame of two short term learning mobilities. Other results will be also created for dissemination of the Learning Module and the project activities in general: website, Brochure of dissemination, Dissemination Events in partner countries, final Dissemination Conference in coordinator's country and Newsletters.

Participants will have the opportunity to work in a European team, will improve their professional skills and personal abilities at European level, by exchanging experiences and developing innovative teaching methods and learning modules. For learners, the training course in a European school will bring added value to their professional preparation by new knowledge acquired on a technology with great impact on the future, which will increase their chances to be integrated on the European labor market. Learning and spending time together with learners from different countries, will facilitate the communication between them, will improve their communication and cultural abilities. Cultural visits in the host country will contribute also to the personal development of students.

The results of the project will be valorized and implemented in the organizations involved in partnership as optional module; in this way other teachers and students will benefit on these results and products. The conventional LM and the e-LM will be available on internet, with free access, for the use of other interested organizations.