3D Printer Twinning comes to Reading!

Sharing ideas and bringing digital creativity to life!

With the support of University of Readings ArtLab- co-creating a pathway to navigate how we can support local WP schools together.

We are delighted to be working alongside the fabulous students and staff at The Abbey school and The Federation of Oxford Road Community school and Wilson Primary School

Some of our amazing Reading based partner schools are planning a new and exciting collaboration during the coming academic year. Thanks to Reading ArtLab, some of our partner schools have become 3D printer twins!

Sharing digital futures – How the project started

Last year, Wilson Primary School entered our ‘World’s Greatest Exhibition’ competition and their artwork won! ArtLab awarded the school an awesome Ender Pro 3D Printer in recognition of the student’s super work.

We discussed with the staff how we could maximise the impact of this equipment and through meetings with Miss Dooley and Miss Grigg, we talked about creating an ‘action’ research project with their Federation partner school (Oxford Road Community School).

At the same time as these meetings, ArtLab had worked alongside The Abbey School, Reading on a project called Downloading the Woods (with Dr Kate Allen and Dr Tristan Quaife). We heard about The Abbey’s development of a creative digital suite in their art department and how The Abbey (through their Art Scholars programme) was keen to work with other schools in the area.

Wilson and Oxford Road Community School are based in West Reading whilst The Abbey is close to us in the centre of town. This geographical conundrum led us to suggest a way of working together and the suggestion of twinning technology happened. As a result, we have provided a further 3D printer for The Abbey School to use and our positioning of technology as ‘beacons’ across Reading feels like a superb way of kickstarting conversations with local schools.

As the project continues it will lead to in-person events and creative activities at all sites (including with us at The ArtLab) and we are encouraging all of our co-researchers to get involved.