A rural school district in Pennsylvania has recently announced a new project that utilizes 3D printing to transform music education for children. The school is now providing affordable 3D printed violins to students who would otherwise not have access to them. The project has shown great results and showcased how 3D printing can be used to expand access to musical education.
Dr. Laura Jacob is the superintendent of the California Area School District in Coal Center, and saw how expensive it is for families to rent instruments for the school’s music program. Oftentimes, the rental of instruments costs students hundreds of dollars per year. Over 70% of the school district’s students come from low-income households, and so Dr. Jacob sought to find a more sustainable and affordable solution.
She began experimenting with digital violin models on open-source file-sharing platforms for 3D printing after watching a YouTube video of musicians performing on 3D printed instruments. What began with two printers in her office has grown into a workshop of over thirty machines. Through trial and error, Dr. Jacob was able to find a design that not only printed successfully but also produced a strong and effective sound.
The results from this project have been transformative for the school. Each violin only costs around $50 in materials, compared to the hundreds it would cost to rent or purchase. In just under five years, Dr Jacob and her printers have created more than 200 violins for students completely free of charge. She now runs a weekly 3D violin club where students can learn to play the violin and also learn about 3D printing technologies.
For many of the students, this program is more than just access to cheaper instruments. Leyla Knox, a student in the district, said that “It makes me feel powerful because it’s just a big group and we can all do it at the same time.” Programs such as these have helped students build their confidence and motivate them to pursue the arts. Dr. Jacob noted that the value doesn’t just lie with lowering costs but also in giving students the chance to develop a passion for music, saying, “If that sticks with them, then to me it’s worth it.“
These types of projects showcase a growing trend in education where 3D printing and additive manufacturing are not just seen as tools for prototyping or science labs but rather as a way to broaden access and creativity in unexpected fields like the arts. For this school district in Pennsylvania, it has meant turning printers into instruments of opportunity for the future generation.
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*All Photo Credit: California Area School District