‘Tis the Season for 3D Printed Ornaments

The innovation of 3D printing has continued to grow throughout 2014 and being that today is Christmas, we thought we’d take a look at the 3D-printed ornament challenge that was hosted by the White House in partnership with the Smithsonian!

In October, the announcement was made that the White House would be holding a “3D Printed Ornament Challenge,” and more than 300 innovators and creative minds all over the nation submitted their winter-inspired 3D-printed ornament designs!

These submissions then went through a judging process and only 20 of the innovative designs were chosen as finalists. From that 20, only five of the 3D-printed ornaments were chosen to be displayed in the White House! Talk about some tough competition!

Aside from holiday cheer, the White House sponsored “2014 3D Printed Ornament Challenge” to build off of their interest in innovation and creativity through the action of making.

In an effort to support American innovation, the Obama Administration is also working on creating more opportunities for students to immerse themselves in hands-on learning in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

At Inventionland, we know a thing or two about STEM as we have partnered with WQED to host the “Design Lives Here Invention Convention,” where students from Pittsburgh-area schools participated in a day full of invention challenges!

Now, back to the 3D-printed ornament challenge! The five winners of this contest created beautiful 3D-printed ornaments that captured the essence of the holiday season!

The ornament designs are now being featured in the Smithsonian’s state-of-the-art 3D data platform and will join the collection of White House ornaments located in the Political History division of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Take a look at this quick video of the “2014 3D Printed Ornament Challenge!”