The Museum’s Chevron Maker Annex is a bustling place filled with kid inventors. But how many projects are children actually making? Here is a hint—visitors used 68,200 feet of filament in the Annex’s 3D printers last year. Projects ranged from templates that could be printed immediately, to more advanced creations that children designed themselves. For example, the girl pictured below created a penguin by digitally assembling geometric shapes with kid-friendly software.
Even more 3D printing will take place next year. The Museum just upgraded its four 3D printers with new models that print faster and have four colors in each machine—so that children can pick from a rainbow of 16 different colors. With reduced waiting times and more creative options, young designers can make even more projects.
As the Museum increases its printing capabilities, it will continue to primarily use PLA filament, which is made from renewable plant materials. To learn more about the Chevron Maker Annex, click here.
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Oct 26, 2026
The Museum’s Chevron Maker Annex is a bustling place filled with kid inventors. But how many projects are children actually making? Here is a hint—visitors used 68,200 feet of filament in the Annex’s 3D printers last year. Projects ranged from templates that could be printed immediately, to more advanced creations that children designed themselves. For example, the girl pictured below created a penguin by digitally assembling geometric shapes with kid-friendly software.
The Museum’s Chevron Maker Annex is a bustling place filled with kid inventors. But how many projects are children actually making? Here is a hint—visitors used 68,200 feet of filament in the Annex’s 3D printers last year. Projects ranged from templates that could be printed immediately, to more advanced creations that children designed themselves. For example, the girl pictured below created a penguin by digitally assembling geometric shapes with kid-friendly software.
Even more 3D printing will take place next year. The Museum just upgraded its four 3D printers with new models that print faster and have four colors in each machine—so that children can pick from a rainbow of 16 different colors. With reduced waiting times and more creative options, young designers can make even more projects.
As the Museum increases its printing capabilities, it will continue to primarily use PLA filament, which is made from renewable plant materials. To learn more about the Chevron Maker Annex, click here.
