Dust Off That 3D Printer

Let me say something that might ruffle a few feathers: I don’t care about your idea unless it’s solving a real problem for real people.

Too often in education, we get excited when students come up with flashy business ideas or cool product concepts. But here’s the truth: if it’s not rooted in empathy and driven by a real need, it’s just noise.

At the heart of entrepreneurship is not the idea—it’s the problem. We have to start there. Always.

The moment we shift our focus away from brainstorming random ideas and instead teach students to first seek out problems worth solving, everything changes. We begin to cultivate empathy. We start asking better questions. We stop assuming we know the answer and instead lean in to listen.

That’s where the magic starts.

And that’s where your dusty 3D printer comes in. You know the one I’m talking about—the $3,000 machine sitting in the corner of your STEM lab or media center that gets fired up once a semester to print a keychain. It’s time to put that thing to work.

Because once your students have identified a real problem—one that they actually care about and that impacts real people—they’re ready to start prototyping. And there is no better tool for rapid prototyping than a 3D printer.

But here’s the key: we don’t print for the sake of printing. We don’t prototype because it’s fun (although it absolutely is). We do it because building something tangible helps students think differently. It forces them to test their assumptions, work through constraints, and embrace iteration as part of the learning process.

This is design thinking. And it’s also the entrepreneurial mindset in action. The process is simple:
Empathize.
Define the problem.
Ideate.
Prototype.
Test.

This five-step flow isn’t just a formula—it’s a mindset. It teaches students to care about people, to challenge their assumptions, to take action, and to be willing to fail forward. And when we embed this in our technology labs, STEM classes, or even art studios, something powerful happens: the learning becomes cross-curricular, hands-on, and sticky.

Suddenly, that 3D printer isn’t just a tech tool—it’s a catalyst for transformation. It becomes a bridge between empathy and action. Between imagination and execution. I’ve seen it happen. Students start building tools for classmates with disabilities. They design solutions to problems in their communities. They iterate, refine, and test their ideas in real time—and in the process, they begin to see themselves not just as students, but as problem-solvers.

That’s what this is all about.

So go ahead—dust off that 3D printer. And let’s start using it not just to teach technology, but to build the mindset that will shape the next generation of innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Let’s go!

FOUR STEPS TO LAUNCHING AN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM

1. Select the teacher - I have a tool to help with selection

2. Identify between eight and twelve students for the pilot class

3. Train and certify the teacher - I have a program for this with curriculum included

4. Start the year-long class - Follow the plan and an on-campus business will be launched mid-year

After the launch, student interest will drive the future growth of the program. For more on the process, visit our website at https://www.seedtreegroup.com/

The future of education is bright indeed!