MakerBot has announced Starter Lab, a 3D printing initiative, which will allow schools to get involved with 3D printing. The new program will provide an education centre with everything they could need to start creating 3D printed items. The kit includes a printer, parts and materials, and a workshop that will be custom designed to suit the school’s requirements.

The Makerbot Startup Labs program is open to all schools and educational levels. The program is even available to children as young as kindergarten age. Currently two colleges have already purchased the MakerBot Starter Lab, which is available to interested schools as of this week.

The long term goal of the MakerBot Starter Lab is to create an early awareness in the field of 3D printing with young children. It provides every school that signs up to the program the tools they require, which can be customized to fit the school’s available space, budget and overall goals with regard to 3D printing.

The base level Starter Kit includes the following:

• 4 MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printers


• 1 MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer


• 1 MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer


• 1 MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner


• 10 swappable MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruders


• 80 spools of the most popular MakerBot PLA Filament True, Translucent, and specialty colors (include Small, Large and XXL)


• Cart, Spool Holder, and grease packet for MakerBot Replicator Z18


• Racking and build plate tape

Along with the lab equipment, the company also provides training in the use of the new equipment, sending a trainer to the school, so they receive an expert installation.

The MakerBot Startup Labs program is aimed at schools, but the company is not limiting it to the educational field. The program is also available to businesses. 

Regarding this the company says, “a MakerBot Starter Lab can provide a competitive advantage as an investment in future technology that fuels new ideas and growth. 3D printing can speed up innovation and iteration, help facilitate Real-Time Prototyping and shorten product design cycles.”