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3-D Printing Program To Offer Quick Entry Into Tech Fields For Students

Greg Loughnane presents students Holden Gray, Ben Marsh, Rahwa Mehari and Scotty Stocks with 3D printers.
Dayton Public Schools/Facebook
Greg Loughnane (back, right) presents students Holden Gray, Ben Marsh, Rahwa Mehari and Scotty Stocks with 3D printers.

A new group is introducing Dayton Public School students to 3D printing. And the hope is it will open doors to future careers in the technological workforce.

The two-week workshop is called Minimal Viable 3D printing. It’ll be run by an engineering professor named Greg Loughnane.

Loughnane says giving people new digital skills and teaching them how to learn are what’s needed to succeed in the new digital economy.

“The goal is to start putting together programs, starting with this pilot in 3D printing with the Dayton public school system, to be able to show that, hey, actually people don't need to go to school for four years, for 10 years, or however long to learn this stuff. You just need to get excited about it and get after it and then get on ramp into the right opportunity."

18 students at DPS were given 3D printers and accessories - that they’ll be able to keep, thanks to funding from Learn to Earn Dayton.

And Loughnane hopes the program continues to evolve. He wants to open his Unautomatable U program to the public in the fall.

Jerry began volunteering at WYSO in 1991 and hosting Sunday night's Alpha Rhythms in 1992. He joined the YSO staff in 2007 as Morning Edition Host, then All Things Considered. He's hosted Sunday morning's WYSO Weekend since 2008 and produced several radio dramas and specials . In 2009 Jerry received the Best Feature award from Public Radio News Directors Inc., and was named the 2023 winner of the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Best Anchor/News Host award. His current, heart-felt projects include the occasional series Bulletin Board Diaries, which focuses on local, old-school advertisers and small business owners. He has also returned as the co-host Alpha Rhythms.