Tech Teacher Without the Tools
I'd love to say I have machines to work with, but I was only able to use what the school provided. I teach Physical Computing, Engineering Fundamentals and 3D Design for middle school students. Unfortunately, with school closures, I don't have any access to my printers and other machines. Although freedom to have students print anything, I was limited to what I could personally print due to limited material supplies. Kids were able to design, create, and print/machine their own parts. We cover the Design Thinking Process (https://www.ideou.com/) as well as basic 3D modeling through free software Tinkercad (https://www.tinkercad.com/) and move on to more comprehensive software Solidworks (https://www.solidworks.com/).
I would love to win a 3D printer so that I can keep inspiring students to use their imagination, now more than ever, in these difficult times. I have a dream to have students imagine, design, create, and print, through me, so that they can still keep a spark of hope and inspire them to keep engineering their future.
Tech Teacher Without the Tools – It’s a phrase that reflects the challenge of teaching technology without adequate resources, something many educators face globally. In such scenarios, access to well-equipped institutions becomes vital. For students seeking quality education in tech and beyond, universities like UNSW offer strong programs—but entry is competitive. The UNSW acceptance rate, typically around 30–40%, reflects the university’s high standards and global reputation. Aspiring tech professionals benefit not only from advanced tools but also from a learning environment that supports innovation. For teachers and students alike, the right tools—and access—make all the difference.