Notes to editors
3D printers are now becoming more common in many areas of business. Engineers routinely use 3D printers to make parts for cars, aircraft and buildings. Surgeons can now implant 3D printed replacement body parts, such as bones. Designers 3D print intricate items of jewellery that cannot be manufactured in any other way. Aid agencies and military personnel are using 3D printers to provide shelter and medical equipment to people in war zones.
YouInvent is establishing a nationwide network of “out of school” 3D printing clubs, each supported and funded by local parents, businesses and communities. The company works in partnership with a number of organisations, including the Royal Institution, the Royal Society of Arts and New Scientist magazine.
News
A student from Clevedon has won a competition to design a science-themed decoration for the Royal Institution’s christmas tree.
Anna Parry, 16, won first prize with a design that combined a snowflake with a neuron, or brain cell. On Tuesday she watched as her design was mounted on the tree in the historic Royal Institution (Ri) building in Albemarle Street, London.
The judges also chose two runners-up from the competition entries. 12 year-old Mackenzie Tchoudi of Coventry won second prize with his festive star featuring the symbols of 13 chemical elements. 16 year-old Michael Hoang of Bridge Academy, London won third prize for a decoration that incorporates the iconic warning symbol for radioactivity.
Education technology company YouInvent organised the competition in collaboration with the Ri. The three winners were made Faraday Members of the Ri, which allows them privileged access to many of the Ri’s events over the next year. They also enjoyed a tour of the Ri, and a look behind the scenes during filming of the Ri’s famous Christmas lectures.
Ri chief executive Chris Rofe said, “We are very proud to be featuring Anna’s 3D printed design on our Christmas tree. The Ri has been at the forefront of pioneering scientific discovery and promoting the benefits of science and engineering to the public for over 200 years. 3D printing is an important new technology that scientists and engineers are already using in all sorts of innovative ways and we’re excited to see where it can take us in the future.”
Iain Major, chief executive of YouInvent, said he was thrilled by the response to the competition. He said, “It is vital that we give our young people the opportunity to channel their natural creativity. 3D printing provides exactly the kind of stimulus young minds need to prepare themselves for creative and scientific careers.”
In August, YouInvent ran a series of summer schools at the Ri, where students learned how to design and create 3D printed objects. In January 2015, YouInvent and the Ri will run a series of 3D printing masterclasses for gifted students.
More information
For more information, please contact:
Iain Major
CEO of YouInvent
t:07970 559287