MakerBot Debuts Teacher Certification Program

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 04/23/2018

MakerBot has launched a 3D printing certification program designed to help teachers integrate 3D printers into their teaching.

The program is available as a self-paced online course or as a blended course. The online option allows teachers to complete the course via MakerBot University at their own pace and to complete an assessment at the end to earn a certificate. It is designed to take approximately five to 10 hours to complete and costs $99.

The blended option gives participants the opportunity to complete preliminary work online through MakerBot University, attend an in-person workshop hosted by the company and then complete the required assessment to earn their certificate. The hybrid class requires five to 10 hours of online work and an additional five hours for the in-person workshop. The blended course costs $199 and is currently only available at MakerBot headquarters in Brooklyn, but the company said it is looking to expand to other locations in the near future.

The program also features two certification levels. The first, "Level 1 MakerBot Operator," is designed to help participants become expert MakerBot users and covers 3D printing technology and history, printer setup and usage and essential parts, printing, the Thingiverse — and 3D modeling and basic troubleshooting.

The second, dubbed "Level 2 MakerBot Curriculum Creator," aims to help participants "gain confidence as a STEM education leader," according to information on the certification program's page. "Learn how to teach the 3D printing process and develop your own 3D printing lesson plans and projects." Topics covered include teaching the 3D printing process, managing multiple printers and print files, troubleshooting student files, how to use Thingiverse Education and creating 3D printing projects for students.

The move is the latest in MakerBot's education initiatives, which includes Thingiverse, "the world’s largest 3D printable file library and community, with over 3 million 3D printable things and over 2 million users sharing STEAM best practice and 3D printing tips and tricks," according to information released by the company,, Thingiverse Education, which includes more than 400 3D printing lesson plans, and The MakerBot Educators Guidebook.

For more information about the teacher certification program, or to sign up for a course, visit makerbot.com.