Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) Introduces Designers, Makers, Users: 3D Printing in The Future
2014 was the 25th anniversary of MODA. The museum is currently the only one in the Southeast that is dedicated to 3D design and printing. It features not only exhibitions, but also various educational programming for visitors. And there are no age limitations! MODA views design as the force that encourages innovation, change and makes the world a better place. The museum organizes architectural exhibitions, industrial design, fashion, interior design and various others. It regularly provides educational programmes for children of all ages. We are going to cover all of these in this article.
There is no doubt in 2015 that 3D printing technology is what changes the world and makes it move further. Thanks to the technology lots of new tools for manufacturing and design have appeared. This technology also allows users produce various solutions to more complex problems.
Designers, Makers, Users: 3D printing in the future is an exhibition dedicated to projects of various sizes that have been created with 3D printing in a most innovative way. Customized prosthetics, unusual architectural forms and revolutionizing space exploration equipment – everything can be seen on this exhibition. In pictures, videos, images and interactive elements one can get acquainted with a wide range of things that represent all the possible ways of using 3D printing technology in any sphere of human life – fashion, interior design, architecture, medicine and even space exploration, to name just a few.
Designers, Makers, Users also represents the partnership between the European Space Agency and Foster+Partners. Recently one of the 3D printers has been sent to the International Space Station, so that astronauts could print the necessary tools. One of such printers – Zero-G Printer – will be exhibited at MODA. It was in the ISS in 2014. It proved to be successful in printing 25 objects in the conditions of zero gravity.
At MODA you can not only view the latest achievements of 3D printing, but also take part in competitions. MODA invites teams of 4 to joint one of them. October, 22, Thursday is the first Design Nerd Trivia Night. Those aged 21 and more are welcome. Mind that the number of members is limited, so be sure to register as soon as possible. For more information and registration visit following link.
All photo credit: Susan Sanders
Neil Miller, 3D printing instructor and Brigid Drozda, Design Thinking and Innovation instructor from MODA have spent long hours planning classes for young children. And finally they’ve come up with several programmes for people of all ages.
The first one is Tinkering Toddlers. These classes are child-driven opportunities for the smallest designers aged 3-5 years. These classes include designing, tinkering and creating.
LEGO Bricks and littleBits for children aged 5-7 are the classes where children will learn how to create circuits and install them into their LEGO creations to make them vibrate, make sounds or light them up. Children aged 8-12 can attend littleBits Challenges. On every meeting the class will have a different task.
For children of 8-12 years who are interested in making interactive projects, MODA suggests Introduction to Arduino or Intermediate Arduino classes. The former consist of introduction classes – discussions on engineering design and innovations, while the latter classes focus mainly on making sample projects with Arduino. Each of the classes is different.
On 3D Printing and Minecraft students will be able to learn the basics of the technology and will get to know how 3D printers work. If you are 12-18 years old, welcome to Design for 3D Printing! You will find out how to print things using a CAD program.
MODA has organized several classes to line up fall break. They have already started on October, 8, when littleBits, LEGO Bricks and Bugs took place. You are welcome to visit the classes on October, 12-16 and try various programmes. Note that you have to register beforehand.
October 19 is Home School Day in MODA! In fact the museum offers this day on a monthly basis. There are all sorts of activities for ages 8 – 15. To admit families have to take verification of non-traditional school or home school status when buying a ticket. Thus they will get additional discounts. There will be two activities suggested: I – visiting the current exhibition at MODA – Designers, Makers, Users: 3D printing in the future, II – introduction to Arduino. Please note that registration is required.
MODA instructors haven’t forgotten about adults and also have some interesting suggestions for them. Those aged 15 and more who are interested in getting to know 3D design are welcome to stimulating workshops. The museum instructors will show all the participants how to create simple shapes and symbols using handy 3D design software. You will get to know how to use 3D printers and will have an object 3D printed for you. Participants will be able to take the objects a couple of days after the class because 3D printing takes some time. The cost of participation is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. You will also be able to visit the current exhibition of the museum. The next class on Introduction to 3D Printing and Design for Adults is on October 15, Thursday, 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Hurry up to register!
If this time is not suitable for you, you may sign up to private and semi-private classes (4-8-people groups). MODA will advance your understanding of design offering numerous exhibitions, classes and educational programmes for visitors of all ages.