Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is popular among the next generation, with many students gaining experience with 3D printers in their primary and secondary schools. To encourage this interest and highlight the real-world applications of 3D printing, SME and Stratasys have cosponsored an AM contest since 2013 for high school and post-secondary students.
The contest allows students to get hands-on experience with 3D printers while also teaching about AM design and technologies. This year students created AM designs and prototypes of next-gen electric vehicle components. By the end of the contest, they'd created almost 500 parts with Stratasys 3D printers.
Additionally, participants were offered a chance to take the Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals Certification Exam free of charge as part of the contest. Of the 100 student participants, 94 took the exam and two-thirds of the students passed.
This contest is held each year as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. Click "Learn More" for more information on the contest and to find out the 2025 winners.