In a low-income, rural community, opportunities for students to experience different career paths can be hard to come by, even when students have that interest. Take, for example, Northeast USD 246: Amber Hribar, 6th grade Social Studies and STEM teacher, saw her students showing interest in STEM and wanted to help them pursue their interests. Hribar wanted to purchase a 3D printer to teach students about design, problem-solving, and working with their hands.
“We were awarded the (Future Fund) grant, and I purchased the printer,” Hribar said. “I didn’t realize that it was cheaper because you had to build it yourself! But that just added another layer of learning for the kids and for me. Now I know every component and how it works, and so do the kids!”
Hribar said that her students and fellow teachers are so excited to see what is being printed every day. Even parents would come to her classroom asking if “this is the classroom with the 3D printer!”
“It really lets the students take ownership of something they designed themselves,” Hribar said. “You can feel their excitement when the printer is running.”
Hribar also mentioned wanting to get a multi-color printer, then additional printers soon.
“The kids really want to keep growing, and I just ask myself what I can bring to up the creator level for the kids!”
When asked about the impact of the grant, Hribar said that in the long term, she is hoping this sparks students’ interest in STEM careers.
“These students are seeing that STEM careers are an avenue for them,” Hribar said. “The grant helped us provide an experience for these students that they would not otherwise have. That is paying it forward for the future!”
Applications for the Future Fund were accepted online until August 31st at midnight.