3D Concept Studio puts today’s youth on path to becoming tomorrow’s innovators

For the first time in Sri Lanka 3D Concept Studio, the nation’s first rapid prototyping firm, is offering children the opportunity to break the constraints of traditional thinking and conceptualise in 3 dimensions. The Junior Maker Lab sessions, which take place weekly, are designed to introduce children to the processes of planning, problem solving, designing, and creating. The program was conceived and is conducted byNicole De Niese.

Commenting on the Junior Maker Lab sessions Nicole said, “My philosophy and approach to teaching is to encourage children to make choices, accept challenges, take risks, manage change, and to cope with frustrations and the unexpected. It is important that we do this by building on their interests, abilities, culture and previous learning experiences so that we are able to extend their learning and development rather than hinder it.As Benjamin Franklin once said ‘tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn’ and this is exactly what I want to achieve during our Junior Maker lab sessions.”

A graduate in Early Childhood Education from Melbourne, Nicole conceived of the program based on her experiences working in child care in Australia. It seemed clear to her that if Sri Lanka was to position itself as a knowledge hub then the method of educating the country’s future leaders and thinkers needed to be updated.

“Lighting the spark of innovation in someone happens early on in their life,” said Milinda Perera, CEO of 3D Concept Studio. “It’s not only what we teach children but also how that can affect the way they see the world. It changes the way they think and solve problems. And that is what the Junior Maker Lab sessions are about – creating tomorrow’s innovators by changing the way they see the world.”

The Junior Maker Lab sessions take place every Saturday from 10am to 11:30am and is open to children from ages 3 to 12. Inquiries can be made at 0774 095880 or at 0777 749649.

3D Concept Studio was founded in 2013 and offers services in 2D and 3D design, 3D scanning, 3D printing, 3D fabrication and laser cutting. The company functions as an innovation and fabrication lab and caters to corporate clients such as Hemas, Orel Corporation (Orange Electric), Phoenix, FMJ Industries, and Boehm Leckner Multi Moulds.