This week, APCSD welcomed students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to engage with our 6th-grade Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM) students. The visit was an incredible opportunity for our young learners to dive into the world of additive and subtractive manufacturing, covering cutting-edge technology like 3D printing and laser cutting.
The RPI students who led the discussion are part of the team in charge of The Forge, RPI’s premier student-run makerspace. This facility is a powerhouse of innovation, boasting upwards of 30 state-of-the-art 3D printers—including industrial-grade fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA) machines—alongside high-tech machinery like powerful laser cutters, CNC mills, and soldering stations. The Forge is dedicated to fostering a hands-on learning environment, providing RPI students (and now, our AMS students!) the tools and knowledge to bring complex digital designs into physical reality.
Our 6th graders were captivated. They not only had the chance to ask insightful questions about how 3D printing works and its real-world applications but also received valuable exposure to the skilled trades, engineering careers, and the college experience at RPI.
Thank you to the dedicated students from The Forge at RPI for taking the time to share their expertise and inspire the next generation of engineers and makers at AMS!
