Implementation of additive technologies in elementary education

Abstract

The use of additive manufacturing (AM) in the wider sense at the level of elementary education is not sufficiently analysed in Republic of Croatia at the moment. Partially, CAD/CAM technologies requires far more specialized knowledge than what the Croatian curriculum provides. The application of different technological devices in the educational process, accelerates the teaching process, and makes it more interesting and more acceptable. The knowledge that pupil need to have at the end of schooling is rapidly changing. It is quite possible scenario that most of the knowledge gained during the elementary and secondary education will be obsolete before future student applies to the university. In order to achieve further progress, it is necessary to systematically explain all the possibilities of using these technologies from the elementary level. By developing different strategies, the young generation can focus on the knowledge they will need in their future jobs.