GE Additive Education Program
Q: What is GE’s intended outcome for the GE Addition Education Program?
A: We want to support primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and
university programs, to build an ecosystem of users that feeds into university-level
instruction and graduation.
Q: What is GE Additive and why does it want to support exposing this field to
schools and universities?
A: GE Additive is part of GE, the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming
industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected,
responsive and predictive. GE Additive offers an array of metal additive
manufacturing machines, materials and engineering solutions to customers in many
industries including aerospace, medical, automotive and luxury goods. Find out more
about GE Additive by watching this short video.
At GE, we’re passionate about the transformative power of advanced manufacturing.
In the past few years, we have built a tremendous network of teams and sites that
are advancing additive manufacturing every day. As a notable user of additive
technologies, we recognize the value and potential of providing science, technology,
engineering and mathmatics (STEM) and/or science, technology, engineering, arts
and mathematics (STEAM) opportunities to students. We commit over the next five
years to provide $10 million to supporting schools in their efforts to bring this
technology to tomorrow’s leaders. Learn more here.
Q: What is additive manufacturing?
A: Also known as 3D printing, additive manufacturing is the act of “growing” a part
directly from a 3D CAD file by adding material (plastic, metal, ceramic, etc.) layer
upon layer and fusing each layer to the previous one to create a 3D object.
Because of the complexity additive manufacturing enables, components can be
lighter and more durable than traditionally manufactured parts. Because additive
parts are essentially “grown” from the ground up, they generate far less scrap
material. Freed of traditional manufacturing restrictions, additive manufacturing
dramatically expands the design possibilities for engineers. See an example of how
additive manufacturing is changing the aerospace industry here.
Q: What 3D printing equipment will GE provide?
A: For selected primary and secondary schools, GE will subsidize desktop polymer
printers and curriculum from Polar 3D. For selected colleges and universities, GE will
subsidize our own metal additive machines similar to ones used more and more in
cutting edge industrial plants around the world.
Q: What investment will be required of the school if selected?
A: Schools will be expected to invest a minimal amount in funding or resources for
equipment, materials and training. In addition, educators will be expected to provide
input and feedback about the Additive Education Program and participate in AEP
best practice sessions.
Q: Are you focusing on schools with strong STEM and/or 3D printing programs
already established or schools interested in developing new programs?
A: We will give preference to schools with teachers and programs that have shown a
high level of commitment to STEM/STEAM initiatives. If a school would like to initiate
a new STEM/STEAM or 3D printing program, we will look for demonstrated ability to
sustain that program and grow it.
Universities will be selected based on their commitment to additive manufacturing
and how they plan to use the equipment in instruction.
Q: Are you looking for certain student or school demographics or sizes?
A: We are looking to support a diverse cross-section of schools, representing a
variety of sizes, types and cultures from around the world.
Q: What is the frequency of funding – annual, rolling, one time?
A: GE will provide awards on an annual basis to primary and secondary schools that
support acquisition of 3D printing equipment, materials and curriculum. The award
value will depend upon the number of machines, and scale and scope of curriculum.
GE will award colleges and universities resources to build or continue their work in
additive manufacturing with industrial-sized 3D printers. The award amounts will
depend on the number of machines and other program requirements.
Q: What are the benefits to the schools and universities?
A: Primary and secondary schools will receive 3D printing machines to be supported
with the STEAM trax curriculum. Colleges and universities will receive industrial 3D
printing machines to support current additive department efforts.
Q: What are the main deadlines in the application and selection process?
A: Primary and secondary schools (ages 8-18):
February 28, 2017 – Introductory applications due
March 15, 2017 – Down-selected schools notified
April 7, 2017 – Detailed applications due
April 28, 2017 – Final selections notified
Post high school, universities, colleges, technical schools (ages 18+):
February 28, 2017 – Introductory applications due
March 30, 2017 – Down-selected schools notified
April 30, 2017 – Proposals due
May 30, 2017 – Final selections notified
Q: What does “down selected” mean?
A: The selection team will go through all applications submitted by Feb. 28 and
“down select,” or identify initial awards to schools we think are the best fit. Those
schools will be requested to complete a more detailed application to determine final
2017 awards. The process will repeat in 2018 |
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