ROCK HILL—Students from area high schools will compete in the Design and Build 3D Competition on Thursday, May 15, at 3D Systems University. The competition will feature four teams, consisting of three to six students, from two area high schools—Northwestern and Fort Mill.

The event, co-sponsored by 3D Systems and York Technical College, combines leading-edge technology and real-world solutions with the fun and excitement of team competition.
The event will kick-off at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 11:30 a.m.  Peak team competition is expected between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Students will work in teams to research, document, design and build a functional 3D windmill model capable of generating power. Each team’s windmill project will be judged on research, documentation, design and its power generation performance. The teams will be guided by a coach and supported by professional mentors. In the process, students will develop team-working and problem-solving skills, build self confidence, and discover potential career opportunities in science, design, engineering, mathematics and manufacturing.

“The Design and Build 3D Competition is a great opportunity for our students to acquire the teamwork and problem solving skills needed to be successful in the future workforce. We are excited that 3D Systems and York Technical College are co-sponsoring this meaningful learning experience,” said Patrick Lyons, coach of the Fort Mill High School team.

The four high school teams are being sponsored by the Business and Technology Center, Comporium Communications and Duke Energy.

"The students competing in the Design and Build 3D Competition will be using some of the world's best 3-D technologies to complete their projects and will be guided by experts in this important and emerging field," said Dr. Greg Rutherford, president of York Technical College. "This is just another example of the value of having a technology leader like 3D Systems in our community, partnering with us, to open a world of possibility for both our students and high school students in our area."

“By investing in young minds and providing adventure in learning using leading-edge technology, real world applications and the magic of discovery, we create potential career opportunities for young people in the world of science, engineering, and manufacturing,” said Abe Reichental, 3D Systems’ president and chief executive officer. “We are very pleased to be a part of this educational event.”

To learn more about the Design and Build 3D Competition, contact Dr. Dennis Merrell at dmerrell@comporium.net. Also, visit the Design and Build 3D Competition website at http://www.3dsystems.com/designandbuildin3d.

3D Systems University
3D Systems University, created by the partnership of York Technical College and 3D Systems Corporation to train the company's customers, employees, and partners in the use of the its innovative products, services, and technologies, is located next to 3D Systems' global headquarters in the Waterford Industrial Park, Rock Hill, South Carolina. More information is available at www.yorktech.com/3dsystems.

3D Systems
3D Systems is a leading provider of Rapid 3-D Modeling, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing solutions. Its systems and materials reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing by creating actual parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used for design communication and prototyping as well as for production of functional end-use parts: Transform your products. More information is available at www.3dsystems.com.

York Technical College . 452 S. Anderson Road . Rock Hill, SC 29730