ELEVATE YOUR STEM TEACHING
100% online. Self-paced. Work through it on your schedule — over summer, on weekends, or across the school year.
Free 3D Printing PD for NJ Educators
Picatinny Arsenal is sponsoring 250 New Jersey educators for a year-long professional development program in STEAM, 3D Printing, and digital design ($399 value) at no cost to you
Earn up to 16 professional development hours and two professional certificates
Hundreds of educators who've taken our courses said their confidence soared from 1.45 to 4.14 out of 5
What Educators Are Saying
Madelaine Travaille
AP Env. Science/District Supervisor - Summit, NJ
"This has been one of the best courses I have taken in 26 years of teaching!
All the strategies suggested were modeled by the instructors, and we were able to walk through the process of teaching CAD in a very simple and effective manner. Thank you for this opportunity!"
Matthew Ducker Duffy
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
"One of the best workshops I have attended in my 6 years of teaching.
The course addressed many different concerns that I had for my upcoming year of teaching several STEM courses. I now have so many ideas about what to teach and how to teach it. Thank you for your time, effort, and professionalism."
The 2026–2027 Cohort Is Open — and Year 2 Is Better!
Bring Cutting-Edge STEAM Skills to Your Students
The STEAM, 3D Printing, & Digital Design Academy offers New Jersey educators comprehensive professional development in the most in-demand STEM skills for today's classrooms. Developed by Emergent Futures Lab, leaders in innovative educational experiences, this program equips you with the knowledge, skills, and resources to transform how your students engage with technology and design.
What You'll Receive (Valued at $399 — Fully Subsidized)
• Comprehensive Training: in Tinkercad (K-6) and Fusion 360 (7-12)
• Year-Long Access: to our online learning platform throughout the 2025-2026 school year
• Sequential Learning Modules: tailored to your grade level and experience
• Weekly Design Challenges: to build your skills and confidence throughout the year
• Real-Time Support: from 3D printing and design experts and fellow educators from across NJ
• Pre-Written Lesson Plans: For grades K-6, 7-8, and 9-12, ready to implement in your classroom
• 21st Century Pedagogical Strategies: that foster student autonomy, agency and innovation
• Professional Development Hours: Earn 8 PD hours (for each course TinkerCad and/or Fusion) and certification to advance your career while transforming your teaching
• Exclusively Online and Self-Paced: This program is delivered asynchronously through our online platform
• Time Commitment: Approximately 8 hours per course track, completed at your own pace with no internal deadlines. Four quarterly check-ins, ~20 minutes each.
Why This Matters for Your Students
Today's students need more than basic computer skills—they need to understand how to create, design, and bring their ideas to life.
Our cutting edge approach brings student autonomy and agency to 3D printing and digital design to develop critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and creative problem-solving while making STEAM subjects more engaging and accessible to all learners. Here are three examples from past cohorts:
• Crystal Kacerek, 7th Grade Science, St. Theresa School: Had students design and print 3D cell models in Tinkercad. Test scores went up. "I feel that this new approach of integrating the 3D Printing and Tinkercad is to thank for this increase in test scores."
• Caitlyn Kelly, West Orange High School: Used Tinkercad in three different classes in a single quarter — a history class designing artifacts from Native American tribes, a math class modeling tessellations, and a chemistry class building molecular compounds.
• Stacy Golias, Lindeneau Elementary (3rd–5th Grade): Math enrichment students needed dice and game pieces for a carnival fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation — so they designed and printed them in Tinkercad.
By participating in this program, you'll join a statewide initiative to enhance STEAM education and prepare students for future careers in technology, engineering, arts, innovation, and beyond.
Fully Funded by Picatinny Arsenal
As part of their commitment to fostering the next generation of STEAM innovators and supporting educational excellence throughout New Jersey, Picatinny Arsenal—the U.S. Army's premier research and manufacturing facility—is covering the complete cost for up to 250 qualified educators.
Program Commitment
What's required to complete the program: Complete one course track (Tinkercad and / or Fusion — your choice). Submit four brief quarterly check-ins, approximately 20 minutes each. That's it. Total time investment: roughly 10 hours across the school year, on your own schedule. Educators who don't complete the program are billed the $399 course fee. We mention this not to create pressure, but because Picatinny Arsenal is subsidizing your seat — and we want you to register only if you're ready to complete it.
Priority for Underserved Communities
All New Jersey educators are encouraged to apply, however, our selection process prioritizes schools and districts with limited resources to ensure equitable access to high-quality STEAM professional development.
Taken this Program Before?
If you've taken one of our in-person workshops - you're welcomed back! Course content has been updated for 2026–2027, this year participants join a community that now includes educators who have already brought 3D design into their classrooms. Repeat participants have reported it's a meaningfully different experience the second time through.
Limited Availability
Only 250 seats are available for the 2025-2026 program. Selected educators will receive comprehensive support throughout the school year, with ongoing access to resources, community, and expert guidance.
Register Today
Register now to secure your place in this fully-subsidized professional development opportunity. The registeration process is simple and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Registration will close once all seats are filled
More Kind Words...
Jennifer Pasuit
STEM Department Head @ New Providence High School | STEM & Science Education
"If you really want to learn how to teach your students how to learn in a way they will feel invested in, take this course."
Bill Ruhl
High School Physics & STEM teacher @ Golda Och Academy
"Blown away by the methodology used to introduce 3D design, establishing facility with foundation features by repetitive design exercises using these features to 'make anything'"
What You Get
The All-in-One System for Mastering 3D Printing and Design Education
A Comprehensive Toolkit for Teaching 3D Design That Transforms Student Learning
Practical Teaching Resources
• Complete Curriculum Pathway: Progressive learning modules from fundamentals to advanced techniques, designed for educators at any level; beginner to advanced.
• Ready-to-Use Lesson Plans: 28 fully developed lesson plans for each education level (thireteen lesson plans K-7, and fifteen lesson plans for 7-12) aligned with state standards that you can implement immediately or customize to your classroom needs
• Time-Saving Templates: Skip the prep work with turn-key activities ranging from single-day challenges to year-long projects
• Professional Development Credit: Earn 8 PD hours and certification to advance your career while transforming your teaching
Two Professional Certificates Available
• Professional Development Credits: Earn up to 16 professional development hours across two certifications to advance your career while transforming your teaching
• Tinkercad for grades K-8: 36 videos spanning 6 hours and 32 minutes, and / or
• Fusion for grades 7-12: 38 videos spanning 7 hours and 20 minutes
• Complete curriculum: and course outlines are below.
Student-Centered Teaching Methodology
• Autonomy-Building Framework: Learn the proven approach that empowers students to become self-directed designers and problem-solvers
• Design Challenge Sequence: Structured activities that build skills incrementally while maintaining student engagement and ownership
• Doing + Making Integration: Our unique methodology connects hands-on creation with conceptual understanding, deepening learning
• Creativity Before Technical Precision: Start with exploration that sparks curiosity, then layer in technical skills as students discover their purpose
Ongoing Support System
• On-Demand Guidance: Get unstuck instantly with help from experienced educators and 3D design professionals
• Vibrant Educator Community: Connect with like-minded teachers sharing challenges, solutions, and inspiration
• Implementation Assistance: Receive practical advice on classroom setup, equipment needs, and workflow management
• Continuous Growth Resources: Access new challenges, updated content, and emerging best practices as 3D technology evolves
21st Century Skill Development
• Beyond Software Training: Move past button-clicking to true digital literacy that transfers across tools and contexts
• STEM/STEAM Integration Framework: Seamlessly incorporate 3D design into cross-curricular projects spanning science, math, art, english, history, media, and more
• Tangible Learning Outcomes: Transform abstract concepts into physical objects students can proudly share and explain
• Future-Ready Competencies: Develop 21st century student skills in creative problem-solving, digital collaboration, and iterative design thinking
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this require live sessions or fixed class times?
No. Everything is asynchronous and self-paced. There are no scheduled sessions, no Zoom calls, no deadlines during the year.
How much time does it actually take?
Each course track (Tinkercad or Fusion) is approximately 8 hours of coursework which you can spread this across the entire school year, complete it over summer, or a combination of both. Plus four brief quarterly check-ins, about 20 minutes each. Everything else is optional.
Do I have to use this in my classroom?
No. Some educators participate purely for professional development. Others implement everything. The program is designed to give you tools — what you do with them is entirely your call.
Can I take both Tinkercad and Fusion?
Yes. You can complete one or both course tracks and earn a certificate for each — up to 16 PD hours total.
What happens if I can't finish?
Educators who don't complete the program are billed the $399 course fee, because Picatinny Arsenal is subsidizing your seat. If something unexpected comes up, contact us directly — we work with educators on a case-by-case basis.
Registration will close once all seats are filled
TinkerCad Course Outlines
5 Chapters | 15 Videos | 3 hrs 29 mins
Chapter 1: Welcome to 21st Century Digital Design:
1. Welcome
Chapter 2: Teaching 21st Century Skills:
1. Teaching 21st Century Skills for a VUCA World
2. Pop Quiz Number 1 - A Crow for Digital Design
3. Pop Quiz Number 2 - Flight Analogy for Digital Design
Chapter 3: What Is a 3D Print & Why It Matters:
1. What Is 3d Printing and Why Does It Matter?
2. 3D Printing Changes How 21st Century Students Learn
3. Digital Design and 3D Printing in the Classroom
4. What Is a 3D Print?
Chapter 4: Choosing the Right Software:
1. Choosing the Right Software
Chapter 5: Teaching Digital Design:
1. Preparing to Teach Digital Design - Tools and Practices
2. Six Principles for Teaching 3D Software
3. The Pace of Learning for Autonomy and Agency
4. Setting Up Classroom for 21st Century Skill Building
5. Teaching Digital Design - 7 Suggestions to Empower Your Students
6. The Digital Making Process
3 Chapters | 14 Videos | 2 hrs 1 min
Chapter 1: Introduction to Teaching 3D Printing and Design with Tinkercad:
1. Welcome
2. Introduction to Tinkercad - Part 1
3. Introduction to Tinkercad - Part 2
4. Introduction to Tinkercad - Part 3
Chapter 2: Designing in Tinkercad:
1. The Power of the Cube
2. Introduction to Tinkercad, Part 4
Chapter 3: Tinkercad Tools:
1. Saving Designs and Move Well to Make Well
2. Designing Stools and the Power of Digital Design - Part 1
3. Designing Chairs and Power of Digital Design - Part 2
4. Addition by Subtraction
5. The Align Tool
6. Designing a Coffee Cup
7. The Measurement Tool
8. Exploring Additional Tools
5 Chapters | 7 Videos | 1 hr 2 mins
Chapter 1: Collaborations—Tinkercad in the Classroom:
1. Collaboration for Group Based Design
2. Leveraging Augmented Reality [AR]
Chapter 2: Advanced Forms:
1. Using Advanced Forms
Chapter 3: Importing and Exporting Prints:
1. Importing and Exporting Prints
Chapter 4: Advanced Tools:
1. The Scribble Tool
2. The Text Tool
Chapter 5: Next Steps:
1. Next Steps and congratulations
Fusion Course Outlines
5 Chapters | 15 Videos | 3 hrs 29 mins
Chapter 1: Welcome to 21st Century Digital Design:
1. Welcome
Chapter 2: Teaching 21st Century Skills:
1. Teaching 21st Century Skills for a VUCA World
2. Pop Quiz Number 1 - A Crow for Digital Design
3. Pop Quiz Number 2 - Flight Analogy for Digital Design
Chapter 3: What Is a 3D Print & Why It Matters:
1. What Is 3d Printing and Why Does It Matter?
2. 3D Printing Changes How 21st Century Students Learn
3. Digital Design and 3D Printing in the Classroom4. What Is a 3D Print?
Chapter 4: Choosing the Right Software:
1. Choosing the Right Software
Chapter 5: Teaching Digital Design:
1. Preparing to Teach Digital Design - Tools and Practices
2. Six Principles for Teaching 3D Software
3. The Pace of Learning for Autonomy and Agency
4. Setting Up Classroom for 21st Century Skill Building
5. Teaching Digital Design - 7 Suggestions to Empower Your Students
6. The Digital Making Process
4 Chapters | 14 Videos | 2 hrs 21 min
Chapter 1: Introduction to Teaching 3D Printing and Design with Fusion:
1. Introduction to Fusion
2. Intro to Movement - Move Well to Make Well
3. Design the First Form
4. An Object Challenge
Chapter 2: The Timeline, Saving and Versioning:
1. The Timeline, Saving and Versioning
2. The Power of the Timeline - Part 2
3. Saving and Versioning
Chapter 3: Extrusion:
1. Extrusion Part 1
2. Extrusion Part 2
3. Extrude to Cut
4. Extrusion Challenge Number 2
5. Extrusion and the Workplanes
6. Design Challenge 3 - Waste Basket
Chapter 4: Beginner Tools:
1. Dimension Tools
2. Sketching Tools
4 Chapters | 9 Videos | 1 hr 30 mins
Chapter 1: Intermediate Tools:
1. The Loft Tool - Part 1
2. The Loft Tool - Part 2
3. The Loft Tool - Part 3
4. Loft, Copy, and Scale
5. The Revolve Tool
Chapter 2: Importing and Exporting:
1. Importing into Fusion
2. Exporting out of Fusion
Chapter 3: Final Challenge:
1. Paper Clip Challenge and the Conclusion
Chapter 4: Next Steps:
1. Next Steps and congratulations
Lesson Plan Outlines
3 Chapters | 1 Video | 14 Downloads | 13 Lesson Plans
Chapter 1: Lesson Plans Overview:
1. Overview: Lesson Plans for Grades K-6 + 7-8
Chapter 2: Individual Lesson Plans For Grades K-6 + 7-8:
K-6 Tinkercad: Introduction to Autonomy - Part 1
K-6 Tinkercad: Introduction to Autonomy - Part 2
K-6 Move Well to Make Well
K-6 The Muji Challenge
K-6 Blind Design Challenge
K-6 The Rearrange Challenge
K-6 Designing the Classroom
K-6 Playground Project
K-6 Caps for Sale
K-6 Object of the Poem
K-6 W.I.P. (Work-in-Progress)
K-6 + 7-8 Gallery Walk
K-6 + 7-8 What’s the Recipe?
Chapter 3: Complete Set of Lesson Plans For Grades K-6 + 7-8:
1. Complete set of all thirteen lesson plans for grades K-6 + 7-8
3 Chapters | 1 Video | 16 Downloads | 15 Lesson Plans
Chapter 1: Lesson Plans Overview:
1. Overview: Lesson Plans for Grades 7-8 + 9-12
Chapter 2: Individual Lesson Plans For Grades 7-8 + 9-12
7-12 Fusion: Introduction to Autonomy - Part 1
7-12 Fusion: Introduction to Autonomy - Part 2
7-12 Move Well to Make Well
7-12 The Muji Challenge
7-12 Blind Design Challenge
7-12 The Rearrange Challenge
7-12 Designing the Classroom
7-12 Re-Imagining Monuments Project
7-8 + 9-12 Borderline Design
7-8 + 9-12 Bus Stop
7-8 + 9-12 Verb Sculptures
9-12 Gallery Walk
9-12 Odes to Common Things
9-12 What's the Recipe?
9-12 W.I.P. (Work-in-Progress)
Chapter 3: Complete Set of Lesson Plans For Grades 7-8 + 9-12:
1. Complete set of all fifteen lesson plans for grades 7-8 + 9-12
Emergent Futures Lab
A Leader in Innovation Education
Emergent Futures Lab brings over five decades of combined experience in STEAM education, digital design, and innovation pedagogy. Founded by Montclair State University professors Jason Frasca and Iain Kerr, who co-direct an award-winning innovation research center, along with K-12 STEAM education expert Andrew Harrison
As co-founders of Montclair State University's MIX Lab — an award-winning innovation research center and makerspace — our team has developed and refined student-centered approaches that foster autonomy, agency, and creative confidence. Our proven educational framework has transformed how educators teach digital literacy and helped thousands of students become confident creators and problem-solvers. Emergent Futures Lab is uniquely positioned to deliver transformative professional development that empowers teachers and prepares students for future success.
