YOUNGSTERS in Ivybridge and surrounds will get an opportunity to use cutting edge design technology including a 3D printer this half term.

Workshops are to be held in the town’s library at the Watermark on Thursday, February 18 in association with ‘FabLab Devon’.

The two workshops, for six to twelve year olds and nine to sixteen year olds, will be run by FabLab Plymouth, a digital fabrication laboratory based at Plymouth College of Art.

The FabLab idea involves giving businesses and the general public access to state-of-the-art digital equipment. The workshops are designed to give people a flavour of what FabLabs offer, and a chance to use digital technology like 3D printing, laser cutting, 3D scanning and 3D design.

From 10am to 12.30pm in the ‘Build a Glider’ workshop, the older age group will be given the opportunity to design, construct and fly a laser cut wooden glider. 3D design software and a 3D printer will be used to develop parts to improve the glider’s flight, and participants will be able to take home their creations.

In the ‘Makey Makey Musical Objects’ workshop for younger children from 2pm to 4.30pm, everyday items will be turned into musical instruments using basic circuits and programming. A wide range of things will be programmed to play a tune.

The workshops are free and all equipment, materials and tuition will be provided. But places are limited so early online booking is recommended.

To book a place, visit the ‘events’ page at www.fablabdevon.org.

The sessions will all be led by FabLab Plymouth manager Ian Hankey from Plymouth College of Art.

Also an award-winning designer and master glassmaker, Ian said of the workshops: ‘The work being done in FabLabs around the world utilises cutting-edge technology, but people shouldn’t be intimidated by that idea. I manage the FabLab at Plymouth College of Art now, but a couple of years ago I’d never used technology like this.

‘My background is in hot glass blowing, which is a simple process that hasn’t changed in over 2000 years. Using CAD - Computer-Aided Design - is completely different, because there’s a computer interface between you and the end result, but the results can be spectacular.

‘Anybody familiar with the technology can use it to replicate seemingly clever objects, but I try to teach people to be comfortable enough with it to use the technology creatively.

‘We’re living in an age where you could build your own 3D printer for as little as £350 and run it on free open source software, so the barriers to 3D printing aren’t as high as they might seem.

‘Hopefully these introductory sessions for young people will give them an idea of how easy the technology is to use, so that they’ll feel comfortable visiting their local FabLab to learn more.’