Yarragon Primary School's STEM students were recently presented with four new 3D printers thanks to funds raised by the Yarragon Lions Club.
And as a token of their thanks, STEM teacher Kalinda Young and students Owen Saxton and Adelaide Kokshoorn presented representatives from the club with a custom printed Lions Club logo from the newly commissioned printers.
Valued at $400 each, the school was able to purchase four printers thanks to a $1600 donation from the Lions.
Kalinda said the printers worked by heating the plastic filament (the plastic "paper") to 200 degrees Celsius which then printed layers of plastic to complete the item or component.
"The 3D printers are really popular with the students and are helping improve their skills in maths, coding and 3D modelling," said Kalinda. "It is really helping to stretch their STEM brains!"
The students design the item on a PC before it is transferred onto an SD card which is then inserted into the printer.
"It can do anything you can think of," said Kalinda.
"The kids have made animals and fidget toys as well as dice for the classrooms - and it is very cost effective."
Sharyn Gaul from the Yarragon Lions said the donation was one of many the club had made over the years to organisations in the community.
"We focus on raising money for locals and have recently donated to the Cemetery Trust as well as Ellinbank and Darnum Primary Schools."
The new scanners are used by the grade five and six students and the plan is for them to produce a gift for one of their foundation (prep) "buddies" for Christmas.
Next on the school's wish list is is a 3D scanner which can take a component and produce an exact replica on one of the printers.
To learn more about the Yarragon Lions Club visit https://www.yarragonlionsclub.com