2026 Arkansas CTE Summer Conference

What does it actually take to make 3D printing work in a real classroom—not a highlight reel, not an idealized pilot program, but with real students, real budgets, and real time constraints? This session cuts through the hype and delivers the honest, classroom-tested knowledge educators need to build a program that lasts. Attendees will learn when 3D printing genuinely transforms learning and when it's just an expensive distraction, plus the foundational skills—materials, slicer settings, bed adhesion, and maintenance—that separate thriving programs from dusty printers in the corner. We'll also explore the exciting shift toward AI-assisted CoreXY systems and multi-toolhead printing that are reshaping what's possible in schools. And yes—we'll show how you can use 3D printing to raise real money for your STEM programs. Leave with practical strategies and information you can put to work immediately. 

“Green jobs” - as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are jobs that produce goods or services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources, or jobs that use more environmentally friendly processes or fewer natural resources - have outpaced jobs in other categories by almost 250 percent over the last decade. At the same time, today’s youth are seeking rewarding careers that help us move towards more sustainable lifestyles and greener economies. The next generation wants to work with purpose. They want to find a job they can be proud of; they want to feel like they are making a difference in our world. Green jobs exist in all education levels. Whether you have a high school degree, technical certification, Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s – opportunities for well-paying jobs exist within the environmental and natural resources career fields.