After 3 months of theoretical and practical lessons on computer-assisted 3D printing, the students from the Solidarity FabLab laboratory (Târgu Ocna Technological High School) presented their creations at a fair of objects for sale, in the center of Târgu Ocna, on August 15, 2022. The Solidarity FabLab Laboratory is created and supported by Terre des hommes Foundation with the financial support of the Orange Foundation.

Visitors found at the stand the most original decorative objects, from crafted pots with cactus and succulent plants to globes printed with photos, toys, movie characters, fantasy watches, funny calendars, models with the anatomy of the human body, embroidered bags and bookmarks worked on needlework, pendants, personalized lamps, cake shapes, all designed and printed by high school students through three-dimensional technology.

The fair was a great attraction for the little ones who gladly recognized at the stand dragons and characters from cartoon films (Naruto, Star Wars), emblems of car companies, the symbol of yin and yang, the symbol of peace, and much more.

But the center of interest for children was the 3D printer mounted by high school students at the stand. The students made a 3D printing workshop at the fair, where visitors saw how an object designed on the computer and created from filaments in the printing process takes shape. "I've seen it on youtube, but now it's the first time I've really seen it," the little ones told us. Children are in step with digital technology, some have 3D printers at home, others have learned from the internet and understood that in this way they could build their own toys. "I have a 3D printer, but it's older, from 2019, and it works very slowly. I let her print a dinosaur. This one at the fair is faster. Now I understand what 2022 means," Boby (9 years old) tells us.

The printer at the fair worked non-stop: the high school students printed for the children keychains with their names, earrings, leaves, car emblems. They invited the little ones to the world of three-dimensional technology and created an opening for them for a future digital profession.

Parents who accompanied their children to the fair understood the importance of digital education, almost as necessary as writing and reading, and appreciated this event as a chance for the little ones to get to know and inform themselves. Some parents have confessed to us that they would also like to learn, but feared for them it was too late. Instead, they bring their children to the 3D workshop to learn more about the technology of the future.

Asked what they would like to create with a 3D printer, the children did not lack ideas: a keychain for the older sister, "a painting for parents", "an Audi emblem for dad's car", "a ring with a heart for mom, on which to write: I love you, mom!" ....

Some visitors asked the high school students to print personal items with models chosen by the visitors. Personalized items will be prepared by students in the laboratory and will be ready in 2-3 days. The amounts collected at the fair will be used to equip the laboratory with printing materials.

Students from FabLab demonstrated the efficiency of 3D technology by printing on the spot, at the fair, simple objects at the request of visitors. But this technology can also have utility in other areas. Alin (tenth grade), a FabLab student, is thinking of collaborating with his older brother who owns a hostel in the area, and printing or customized items for the hostel and its tourists.

This is also the purpose of the FabLab laboratory: to generate opportunities for collaboration between high school students and industries or business people in the area, with the intention of creating an opening for young people on the labor market.

The Solidarity FabLab Laboratory was created within the Târgu Ocna Technological High School. Under the guidance of a specialized teacher, lessons in digital manufacturing are held here for students from Târgu Ocna and the surrounding high schools, young people from the Educational Center and young people without education or unemployed, in order to train them in the digital field and in order to increase their chances of finding a job. Lessons cover modeling, design and 3D printing, scanning, laser engraving and milling, cutting and embroidering.

The Solidarity FabLab Târgu Ocna project is implemented by Terre des hommes Foundation between 2021 and 2023, with a funding of 53,213 euros granted by the Orange Foundation.