On Thursday, 4th May 2023, the N.C.S.R. Demokritos Congress Center in Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece, was the center stage for the International Multiplier Event of the 3D2ACT project. This event brought together policymakers, authorities, educational centers, teachers, IT experts, and various stakeholders, with a focus on VET Schools, to witness the impressive outcomes of the project.
Hosted by Net Media Lab of N.C.S.R. Demokritos, the event was themed “Presentation of 3D2ACT Project Results Conference” and attracted an engaged audience of 65 participants. Among them were 9 representatives of all partners, VET school teachers from general and special education, policymakers, and two senior advisors from the Greek Ministry of Education. The presence of the Regional Director of Primary & Secondary Education of Crete further elevated the significance of the event.
The 3-hour-long event, held from 18:00 to 21:30, highlighted the achievements and tangible results of the project. Attendees were presented with the finalized outputs, including a comparative report, two competence frameworks (syllabi), two educational packs for 3D Design, Modelling & Printing, and Social Entrepreneurship, cross-curricular scenarios, an e-learning & e-assessment platform utilizing Open Badges, a Mobile app, and an AR Game on setting up a social enterprise.
One of the main attractions of the event was the live presentation of the e-learning platform, where participants were given an in-depth demonstration on how to register, enroll in courses, and download the corresponding mobile app. Teachers in attendance gained valuable insights into implementing the program within their schools and classrooms.
The Multiplier Event was divided into two distinct parts. The first part provided an overview of the project’s aims, objectives, and partnership, followed by detailed presentations on the five Intellectual Outputs, results, and activities by various consortium members. This laid the foundation for a fruitful discussion on the importance of digitalization and Industry 4.0 skills in education, and how they can be integrated into formal education curricula to bridge the gap with the labor market.
The second part focused on a live demo/workshop of 3D Design, Modelling & Printing using an actual 3D printer. This interactive session allowed teachers to witness the entire 3D printing process, from designing a digital 3D model to the object gradually taking shape layer by layer. Teachers were thrilled by the potential of 3D printing as an educational tool, transforming abstract concepts into tangible models that enhance the learning experience across various school subjects.
The event also featured an exhibition space where partners showcased their work and the results produced by students during the pilots. Fruitful discussions ensued, with partners emphasizing their areas of expertise and responding to questions from participants.
The overwhelmingly positive feedback from the audience confirmed the event’s success. Attendees showed genuine interest in the project’s activities and aims and highlighted the importance of sustaining and exploiting its results beyond its financial lifetime. Recognizing this enthusiasm, Net Media Lab has pledged to support and maintain the available e-tools, while organizing summer schools for students to attend 3D Printing educational classes and for teachers to enhance their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) as mentors.
The International Multiplier Event of the 3D2ACT project was very successful, as it stressed the importance of non-formal education and its potential impact on bridging the gap with the labor market. As the event concluded with a light buffet, participants engaged in lively discussions, further solidifying the importance of the project and its potential for the future.