Over the years, Fort Thomas schools have seen a wide variety of integrated updates that have made things better for everyone. Wi-fi technology. More musical instruments into bands and orchestras. New and state-of-the-art classrooms. The integration of “walking tacos” into the school lunch pantheon. Truly, FTIS has always been on the cutting edge.

So it should come as no surprise that, with the advent of 3D printing technology becoming a very real thing for the future, the libraries of Fort Thomas’ elementary schools have embraced this future and risen to meet it for students. Currently, all three elementary schools have access to 3-D printing technology and are using this technology to meet the minds of young students.

When FTIS librarians learned of the advent of 3D printing several years ago at the annual Kentucky Society of Technology in Education Conference, an idea was born to bring this groundbreaking learning tool to their own schools.

“Our district is always focused on the future, so all three of our elementary libraries were awarded a grant to purchase a 3D printer,” says Moyer’s library media specialist Laura Robinson. “It was then I started a unit for 4^th graders on what 3D printing is, how to create a 3D object, and how to print it in the 3D printer.  These printers started off pretty expensive so with the help of our Foundation, all three elementary schools were able to add them to our curriculum!”

Each elementary school uses it’s “Makerspace” (the area of the library dedicated to its 3-D printer and other modern medias) to forward FTIS students’ knowledge of technology use and application.

These 3D printers are not only a harbinger of future technologies to come but provide one-of-a-kind learning experiences for young students.  “Many times, these materials are used in project-based learning,” says Johnson library media specialist Marie Zimmerman. “In 5^th grade, students participate in Genius Hour where they get to choose what they want to learn about and then share their learning with others. The Makerspace is crucial to help fostering these unique experiences.”

Robinson says the Fort Thomas Education Foundation’s support is crucial to building these programs, which continue to create benefits for all Fort Thomas students.

“The elementary librarians are so lucky to have had many grants fulfilled over the years such as famous author presentations, Bloxels License Accounts for all 3^rd-5^th graders (an app that teaches coding), and coding robots,” says Robinson.

Zimmerman agrees that the unique experiences the Education Foundation provide are valuable for students. “The Foundation is able to provide the resources needed to help support all the extras that make our school system unique and successful,” she says. “We’re encouraged to dream big for all of our students.