SACO — Saco Middle School STEM teacher Sam Blunda is taking printing to the next level with the school’s new 3-D printers.

The school acquired the MakerBot Replicator 2 and LulzBot Mini over winter break, and Blunda took the time off from school to learn the new technology before teaching it to students.

Students design models on a computer in Google StetchUp, and the models are exported into the printer with software that breaks them down into layers. The printer slowly builds the model, using a heated top that places layer upon layer of molten plastic.

The process can take a while, and Blunda uses a baby monitor so he can keep track of items that are printing when he’s in other areas of the building.

Student Youna Karim made a diamond shape with her name on it, and is working on an original design to give as a gift. “It’s so cool,” she said.

Blunda said the printer may be used to build items needed in school projects, such as an underwater robot project, and its use coincides with goals of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. He said 3-D printers can also be used to print art projects, incorporating art to a STEM curriculum to make STEAM.

Blunda uses the printers with his eighth-grade students, but the school would like to create something that allows all students the opportunity to use the printers.

“The whole idea is to expose kids to newer technology,” said Blunda.

Blunda is still working out some of the quirks of the system, and has discovered the school will have to update some of its computers to best use the printers.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].