Ultimaker, a developer of 3D printing technology, announced on March 8 — International Women’s Day — a donation of more than 20 of its 3D printers through its newly created partnership with America Makes, a U.S. organization for additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology research, discovery, creation and innovation. The printers will be used in high schools across the country to grow awareness and entrepreneurship opportunities for 3D printing technology among young women through a new program called Additive Edge.
Additive Edge is a national outreach program that inspires high school students in the U.S. to explore additive manufacturing (3D printing) and entrepreneurship. The program will distribute the Ultimaker printers to secondary schools that successfully recruit female students into additive manufacturing courses. Source: UltimakerSource: UltimakerEach student who participates in the program will learn about the additive manufacturing industry, technologies and processes as well as career pathways. Students will also have access to learning opportunities along with industry credentials through America Makes.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day 2021, only 13% of engineers in the additive manufacturing industry are women — a scenario unlikely to change in the next decade without a coordinated effort from companies, educational institutions and civic organizations to support young women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The accessible and reliable Ultimaker printers, assembled in Memphis, Tennessee, will enable young women across the U.S. to expand the potential for innovations with additive manufacturing as they learn, experiment and innovate with 3D printing. Ultimaker’s donation to America Makes is only the latest commitment the company has made to increase female representation in engineering careers and the additive manufacturing industry. In the past, the company donated more than a dozen 3D printers to support MakerGirl’s national #MakerGirlGoesMobile campaign that performs 3D printing sessions for young girls in rural, underserved communities.

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