New Technologies as Entrepreneurship & Innovation Boosters – 3D Modeling and 3D Printing
Overview
SmartUp designed and delivered one of North Macedonia's first 3D modeling and 3D printing programmes for high school students, with support from the City of Skopje and in partnership with the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering (FINKI). SmartUp ran two intensive three-day workshops for 32 selected students, teaching the complete digital fabrication process — from 3D modeling in TinkerCAD, Blender, SolidWorks, and ZBrush through to printer operation, troubleshooting, and final production — combined with design thinking to build creativity and entrepreneurial problem-solving.
Every participant designed and printed their own original model, producing more than 40 prototypes in total. The programme earned a 4.8/5 satisfaction score and a 4.91/5 mentor evaluation, with 96% of participants backing the introduction of 3D modeling and printing into the national high school curriculum — establishing an early model for SmartUp's continued partnerships between educational institutions, local government, and civil society on emerging technology education.
The challenge
Strengthening high school students' digital, technical, and creative skills to better prepare them for future professions and emerging labour market demands.
Providing practical, hands-on experience with advanced technologies such as 3D modeling software and 3D printers, despite limited access to such equipment in formal education.
Introducing students to innovation methodologies, including design thinking, to help them transform ideas into tangible prototypes and entrepreneurial solutions.
Managing intensive practical workshops while ensuring that every participant gained sufficient experience in designing, printing, and troubleshooting their own 3D models.
Activities and methods
The project aimed to build foundational competencies in digital fabrication while inspiring students to explore innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship through experiential learning.
Key achievements included:
- Organizing two intensive three-day workshops, attended by a total of 32 carefully selected high school students.
- Providing practical training in industry-relevant software, including TinkerCAD, Blender, SolidWorks, and ZBrush, alongside instruction in the operation and maintenance of 3D printers.
- Teaching participants the complete 3D production process, from digital design and modeling to printer setup, filament management, troubleshooting, and final production.
- Enabling every participant to successfully design and print at least one original 3D model, resulting in more than 40 printed prototypes.
- Integrating design thinking methodologies to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and innovation throughout the design process.
- Delivering the programme through collaboration with FINKI, Skopje Lab, local businesses, and expert trainers specializing in digital fabrication technologies.
- Achieving exceptionally positive participant feedback, including an overall programme satisfaction score of 4.8/5, mentor evaluation of 4.91/5, and 96% of participants expressing support for introducing 3D modeling and printing into the high school curriculum.
Impact and learning
The project successfully demonstrated the value of experiential, technology-based learning in developing future-ready competencies among young people. By providing direct access to advanced digital fabrication technologies, students gained practical technical skills while strengthening their creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Beyond the acquisition of technical knowledge, the workshops increased awareness of the role that 3D technologies can play in innovation, product development, engineering, and future careers. Participants left the programme with tangible experience in transforming ideas into physical prototypes, illustrating the potential of combining design thinking with emerging technologies.
The overwhelmingly positive participant feedback and strong interest in integrating 3D technologies into formal education highlighted the need for more practice-oriented STEM learning opportunities within secondary education. The project served as an early example of how partnerships between educational institutions, local government, and civil society can successfully introduce innovative technologies into youth education and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Gallery
Outputs
Project video
Watch on YouTubePlanning similar work?
SmartUp can support research, co-creation, facilitation, digital tools, implementation, or learning documentation for related programmes.