SMEC student Isaac Pequita holds the first draft of his strategy 3D printing project.
(Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
NEW BEDFORD — They’re learning to create in three dimensions.
A group of Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) students has been exploring modern 3D printing technology while learning life lessons and valuable new skills.
The SMEC students in the special education collaborative’s Alternative Learning Classroom 1 (ALC) have been “putting innovation into action through a hands-on 3D printing project designed to support their peers across programs,” according to the classroom’s head teacher Brian McDonald.
“I’m excited about incorporating the 3D printer into academics because it gives students a concrete reason to engage with skills that can otherwise feel abstract — reading directions, writing clearly, using math to measure, planning, revising and reflecting,” McDonald said. “The early responses from the kids have been really encouraging. They’re asking questions, staying with tasks longer, and taking more ownership when they know they’re working toward something real.”
The ALC serves the needs of middle school students with social/emotional disabilities, ADHD, specific learning disabilities and/or behavioral issues, providing a highly structured, small group setting in a substantially separate classroom.
The ALC program provides students with strategies for improved impulse control, school attendance, study skills and appropriate behavior/social skills, while also providing a rigorous and engaging academic experience. The goal for most students is to return to a less restrictive educational environment in the future. Positive reinforcement is utilized to increase self-esteem and self-awareness.
The 3D printing initiative guides students as they use a high-tech 3D printer to create practical tools and strategies tailored to the needs of other SMEC programs.
The project blends technology, problem-solving, communication, and empathy, empowering students to create meaningful solutions while building real-world skills.
McDonald and School Adjustment Counselor Bill Sylvia have been leading the 3D printing project together.
“We’re also using it as a reinforcer in a positive, structured way — students can earn print privileges or design roles by meeting academic and behavior goals,” McDonald said. “And partnering with Bill, we’re exploring how students can design their own tools and strategies for self-regulation — things like visual supports, calming choice menus, or personalized reminder tokens — so the printer isn’t just a reward, but a bridge to independence.”
Beyond the design and production process, students take on the role of educators — developing either posters or live-stream presentations to clearly explain how their strategy works, what it is used for, and how it can support learning or social-emotional growth.
“The way the classroom team is incorporating the 3D printer into various aspects of learning allows students to showcase their strengths and to think creatively while building valuable skills that can be used throughout the school day,” said Student Services Director Kim Wilmot. “The most exciting part of bringing this tool into the classroom has been to see the ownership the students are taking in their designs and the pride they experience when their renderings are finished and their ideas become reality.”
“Our Collaborative has long-embraced technology and innovation in the classroom to give our students the best education possible,” said SMEC Executive Director Catherine Cooper. “This program illustrates just one of the many cutting-edge strategies employed by SMEC educators, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for these students and their creations.”
About SMEC
The Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative is a public education collaborative established in 1975. SMEC is an extension of 10 public school systems, which make up its membership. The present membership includes the Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Rochester and Old Rochester Regional public school districts. SMEC accepts students for enrollment in its programs from school systems throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. The Collaborative’s programs and services are locally based and locally directed and are designed to supplement the special education resources of its member districts. SMEC offers a variety of services for students with special needs aged 3-21 as well as adults with developmental disabilities. To learn more about the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, visit smecollaborative.org.
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SMEC student Jay’Syn Rezendes works on a livestream presentation of his 3D printing project. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
SMEC students Anabel Wilkinson and Emme McKenna work with 3D-rendering software. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
The 3D printer creates what SMEC’s students imagined and designed. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
The 3D printer creates what SMEC’s students imagined and designed. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
The students practiced printing popular strategies, including action figures, fidget spinners and puzzles. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
SMEC student Jay’Syn Rezendes holds the first draft and the final draft of his strategy 3D printing project. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
SMEC student Franklyn Mendoza-Tirado holds the first draft of his strategy 3D printing project. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
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