Case Study: Chico High School achieves career readiness and program funding with Stratasys 3D Printing

3D Printing Brings Career Readiness and Funding to California Students

Chico High School wanted to give 10th–12th grade students real-world engineering experience and help local businesses solve product-design and communication challenges. After installing a Stratasys 3D printer, teacher Mike Bruggeman turned the classroom into a prototyping lab that tackled issues such as Klean Kanteen’s lid designs and language barriers with overseas manufacturers.

Using the Stratasys 3D printing solution, students produced prototypes sent to Chinese manufacturers and worked on projects for partners like Klean Kanteen and Westside Research. The program generated ongoing funding from business partnerships to buy materials, increased local demand for student work, and helped students build portfolios and career opportunities—one participant later secured a job with NASCAR—demonstrating clear, measurable impact.

Chico High School

Mike Bruggeman

Teacher