Supercharge Learning: One Educator’s Perspective of 3D Printing in the Classroom with MakerBot Sprint

Easy-to-use, safe, reliable, and fast means more teaching and less tinkering

Rahul Chopra, secondary school tech design educator and department head, runs a hands-on fabrication lab at his high school. The lab serves a wide range of students, from those in introductory design courses to upper-level engineering and product development classes. Recently, he integrated the MakerBot Sketch Sprint 3D printers into his lab, and shared how it influenced both teaching and student learning.

"My first impression of the Sketch Sprint was how instantly it aligned with the real needs of a high school fabrication lab,” Rahul said. "It felt like a printer actually built for education. It felt like the kind of tool that could truly keep pace with a busy classroom environment, where students are working on fast-moving projects and need immediate feedback on their designs."

The introduction of the MakerBot Sprint has completely reshaped how the students engage with design and creative problem solving. Traditionally, the pace of 3D printing in classrooms meant limitations–scaled down ideas, incomplete assignments, and, ultimately, frustrations. With Sprint, which can print up to 5x faster than its competitors, that’s no longer the case.

“3D printing is a core part of how we bring ideas to life,” Rahul explained. “Students create prototypes for real-world problems, design parts for robotics competitions, build 3D-printed aquaponic walls, and develop components for a host of other projects.”

Students have designed and printed various applications, from articulating robots to functional hydroponic systems. 3D printing has enabled them to bring their ideas to life, testing and iterating along the way.

Supporting student learning to strengthen critical thinking

For Rahul’s students, the design process has changed significantly. Entire feedback loops, once done over several days, can now be done within a single class period. More importantly, this rapid iterative process allows teachers to rethink lesson structures, integrating multiple checkpoints into a single project timeline. This encourages students to push their ideas even further.

The addition of Sprint has enabled the fab lab to become much more streamlined, ensuring students’ workflows are quicker and smoother. According to Rahul, Sprint’s faster print speeds means that students have more time to explore design variations and test ideas more thoroughly.

“It’s opened the door to more ambitious, student-driven builds that wouldn’t have been possible before due to time constraints,” he added. “That immediacy made the design process feel more dynamic and accessible. Students see results sooner, which keeps them motivated, engaged, and bolder.”

“It’s fundamentally teaching students how to problem solve for any kind of problem that occurs in life,” continued Rahul.

For example, one project that would take a week was completed in just a couple of days. This gave them more time to extend the project into additional iterations, deepen student engagement, and adjust project parameters to incorporate extension of student learning. 3D printing is allowing students to be creative in their ideas and push their ideas further.

Empowering educators with reliability

“The Sprint has transformed 3D printing from a time-consuming hobby into a streamlined, reliable classroom tool,” stated Rahul. “With features like automatic leveling and intuitive setup, it truly is a “set it and forget it” experience—something that can’t be overstated in a busy fabrication lab.”

Sprint’s easy-to-use platform offers an intuitive setup so educators can focus on what’s important—teaching, not tinkering. Rahul believes that managing multiple printers while teaching is far more feasible now, with fewer failed prints and less hands-on troubleshooting. This reliability allows educators to focus on instruction while students print confidently and independently, making 3D printing more accessible and impactful than ever.

“This changes how I plan projects,” he explained. “I can design more complex, iterative lessons, which gives students a clearer understanding of the design process.

He also notes that more students are participating in projects and pushing their ideas further, thanks, in part, to the printer’s reliability and ease of use. “It’s made 3D printing more accessible within the time constraints of a typical class period.”

The machine's plug-and-play design ensures quick and easy setup, requiring no technical expertise, making it incredibly easy for both educators and students to use right out of the box. Thanks to features like automatic leveling, guided setup, and intuitive interface, both teachers and students can get up and running with minimal instruction.

Sprint is compatible with Digital Factory, UltiMaker’s secure print management software, and Cura, UltiMaker’s popular slicing platform. Digital Factory offers a centralized view of connected printers and students’ print jobs. It helps educators manage multiple 3D printers efficiently, enabling remote access, user collaboration, and streamlined workflows. It's an ideal tool for supporting hands-on, project-based learning in STEM and design education.

Beyond speed and usability, Sprint stands out for its safety-focused design. Sprint’s enclosed design, integrated HEPA and carbon filtration system, and Printer Lock feature are particularly useful in an educational setting. “The enclosure limits access to hot components, which helps maintain a safe workspace,” Rahul noted. The Printer Lock feature restricts access to settings, ensuring that only trained students can make changes.

Another hydroponic system developed by Rahul and students.

Game-changing tool for any classroom

“The Sprint’s speed, ease of use, and high-quality output have been game-changers for our fabrication lab,” Rahul said. “These features enable students to quickly test and refine their designs, boosting creativity and learning.”

While there’s always room for growth—like expanding material options for more specialized projects—Sprint has earned its place as a cornerstone of this educator’s classroom. In education, where ideas matter and time is precious, the right technology can make all the difference.

“Sprint minimizes downtime, boosts student engagement, and ensures a safe and productive classroom and fabrication space. I’d recommend it to any educator looking to enhance their program,” Rahul stated.