Year 8 Pupils Discover Careers of the Future with 3D Printing Workshop

8 June 2025

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Sixty Year 8 pupils were selected by Head of ICT & Computer Science, Mrs Qadri, to take part in an exciting #InspiringLancashire project last Tuesday, funded by BAE Systems.

Priory was given a 3D printer as part of the link-up and we have worked with CREATE Education to deliver the school-based 3D Printing Workshop Day. Mrs Qadri had taken part in a training day at CREATE Education in Chorley and part of the project was that BAE Systems, through CREATE, will offer 60 Year 8 students a 3D Printing Workshop Day as well as a day of careers advice.

“BAE Systems want to create more jobs in the future in the Lancashire area and they hope, by training pupils on such items as 3D printers and show how they are used in their business, this will give them an understanding of the careers available to them and the chance to stay in Lancashire for the jobs," said Mrs Qadri.

At the workshop, the pupils designed a mini rocket ship and printed it as well as learnt simple CAD/CAM skills.

Students were working at a much faster pace than when we ran the event last year and they even managed to personalise their rocket ships with their names.

"I will have a big job to get all their designs 3D printed in different colours over the next few weeks!" said Mrs Qadri.

Year 8 Leon W said, “I didn’t know about 3D printing but now my knowledge has been expanded - now I can make 3D models and designs on ‘Onshape’ and use them on ‘Cura’. I’ve also learnt how 3D printing can be used in different industries, and in future careers.’

Emma N added, “Today was quite complicated and hard to understand but I’m very glad I did it because I never actually realised what 3D printing was and now I see that it is very interesting and is used in lots in construction and other careers.”

Freya C said, “Today I found out actual jobs I did not know used 3D printing such as Formula One racing, when making props and in nursing. I would like to be a fashion designer and it was helpful to know how some materials can come from the 3D printer. I did not know about doctors using 3D printers for hands.”

Lillia S continued on the same theme with, “Prosthetic limbs can also be made in the medical fields. Also, food can be made from a 3D printer!”

Thinking ahead, Oliver C concluded, “I’ve learnt about what I want to take into my Options with Computing definitely one of them thanks to this workshop.”

Pharaoh agreed, “This has also made me see Tech and Engineering GCSEs in a new light.”

Now that students have developed their design skills, they will also be taking part in an Inspiring Lancashire Challenge Project where they will have to design a prototype product (or a part for a product) that will either:

help in one small way to improve the environment in or around a local waterway (river, canal, lake or sea) or
improve the habitat for one or more species of local wildlife.

Look out for more information about this project in the Autumn term.