Stratasys Announces Finalists for Annual Extreme Redesign Contest

It’s probably fair to say that people around the world are beginning to expect great things from additive manufacturing (AM). With each advance in technology and expansion in application, 3D printing becomes further ingrained in manufacturing, and inspires creativity in the design and development process. One method to ensure the next generation of engineers and designers push the boundaries even further is by introducing students to AM.

Stratasys promotes 3D printing to students from middle school through college with its annual Extreme Redesign contest. This year’s contest received over 600 entries from around the world, including 12 different countries. Those entries were whittled down to 10 finalists from different categories (middle school/high school engineering, college engineering and art/architecture) and this year also included a bonus finalist in extreme sports. 

Each of the finalists will receive a print of their design and a $50 gift card. The first place winners in each category will receive a $2,500 scholarship. The instructors of the first place winners are granted the use of a 3D printer in their classroom for a limited time. Second and third place winners receive a $1,000 scholarship each. Over the 10 years Stratasys has run the contest, it has handed out more than $100,000 in scholarships.

Finalist designs for this year include an office tower for the art and architecture category, a divot-fixing putter in middle/high school engineering, a mechanical spider for college engineering, and the sole extreme sports finalist with a design for a kayak accessory.

Not only does the contest promote AM and provide scholarship opportunities, it also promotes STEM values that can help the candidates succeed in life after formal education. You could almost think of the contest as a global science fair competition encouraging application of the principles learned in classes, but hopefully minus the grumpy parent element.

Below you’ll find a short clip featuring Andreas Zailo and Nathan Pacholko’s Rabidus Arachnid - Mechanical Spider contest entry.

Source: Stratasys