The University of Nottingham has secured funding for a three-year project that will introduce 3D design and printing to children and young people receiving hospital education in England. The initiative is intended to widen access to practical STEM learning for students who attend specialist schools because of complex health needs or long stays in hospital.
The funding comes from a Royal Society Science Community Grant and the Julia Rausing Trust. The project will be delivered with the National Association for Hospital Education, known as NAHE. Engineers and scientists from universities across the country are also supporting the work by helping to equip hospital-school staff with the 3D design and printing skills needed to run hands-on projects.
Printers and training for 25 schools
An initial 25 schools will receive a 3D printer and take part in a national training programme led by the University of Nottingham, with support from local partner universities. The programme is planned to run across a school term through coordinated sessions built around user-centred design, culminating in a showcase event. Students will be invited to draw inspiration from their environment and identify product designs that could work better for them.
Professor Ruth Goodridge of the University of Nottingham is leading the project. She said that children and young people who spend extended periods in hospital, or who attend specialist schools because of complex health needs, often miss out on the enriching, hands-on STEM experiences their peers take for granted. She said the project is intended to address that gap by giving them access to 3D design and printing activities that broaden horizons, build confidence and develop skills for the future.
Goodridge also said that hospital-school staff report that illness can make a child's world feel very small, with disrupted education, anxiety and low confidence often affecting engagement with learning. In her view, 3D printing offers an accessible and rewarding way for students to develop new skills, solve problems and create something tangible. That can provide a real sense of achievement at a time when many aspects of their lives may feel beyond their control, she said, adding that the project could help young people see new possibilities for their future.
Practical science and rehabilitation
Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, said schools are where most people first encounter science. He said practical science helps students experience the scientific process, evaluate evidence, understand uncertainty and appreciate how science helps people understand and improve the world. He added that embedding more practical science in schools is an important step towards building future generations of scientists and innovators, and towards equipping people with the scientific literacy needed to be successful citizens.
The NIHR HealthTech Research Centre for Rehabilitation, led by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, is partnering with the project. The centre will explore how 3D printing technologies could contribute to children's rehabilitation and recovery following serious illness or injury. This element is framed as an exploration of possible contributions, alongside the education programme.
Stephen Deadman of NAHE said the project will provide vital skills for children unable to access traditional school, giving them valuable hands-on experience with specialist equipment. He said that in addition to the individual skills students will build, working together within and between schools will provide additional benefits, bringing a sense of community and shared achievement.