Case Study: Adolfo Camarillo High School achieves hands-on STEAM learning and real-world product development with MakerBot

Educator Spotlight 3d Printing as a Necessity in Education With Peter Wachtel

Adolfo Camarillo High School, led by teacher Peter Wachtel, needed a way to give students hands-on STEAM education and real-world product development experience while making 3D printing an everyday classroom tool. To meet that challenge the school adopted MakerBot 3D printers—fast, easy-to-use machines that could be integrated across the Product Innovation & Design pathway and used by students at all grade and skill levels.

MakerBot printers were embedded into project-based curriculum and industry collaborations, enabling students to prototype, manufacture and sell custom products. With MakerBot support students designed projects for Six Flags, Universal Studios, Mattel, Santa Barbara Zoo and Harbor Freight Tools, won the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize ($50,000), produced over 100 custom products and raised more than $20,000 in four years, and saw the curriculum adopted by several colleges and about 40 other high schools—boosting engagement, creativity and workforce readiness.

Adolfo Camarillo High School

Peter Wachtel

Product Innovation & Design