from GoodGoodGood – thanks to Pam P.
Dr. Laura Jacob, superintendent of the California Area School District in Coal Center, Pennsylvania, has 30 3D printers in her office.
While she does enjoy 3D printing as a hobby, these printers represent a mission much greater than Jacob alone; They are used to print violins for low-income students.
For schools, violins can cost $500 to $2,000 each, often representing hundreds of dollars in rental fees per family each school year. For the students attending schools in Jacob’s district, that’s just not a cost their families can afford.
“Over 70% of our students are low-income. So that means 100% of our kids receive a free breakfast and free lunch every single day,” Jacob told CBS News.
Regardless, she was determined to keep arts education alive for the students she serves. After seeing a video of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra playing 3D-printed instruments, a passion took hold.
“I started tinkering. I found some models online. I’m not a computer scientist or an engineer by any means, but after a variety of failures, I found one that actually printed and it sounded good. It’s a great start for kids,” Jacob told CBS News.
Each violin costs just $50 to make, and they are now offered free to any student who wants one, thanks to grant funding.
Plus, they’re perfect for beginners.
“How it sounds, how it responds, is a bit different,” music teacher and band director Noah Kilgus told Kidsburgh.
Although they don’t sound exactly like a traditional wooden string instrument, they are just as loud, much more durable, and easy to tune. (continued on page 2 or here)