Hope Academy of Public Service “Team Printer” project leader Kayleigh Williams, center left, accepts a check for $2,000 from Hope Rotary Club President Amanda Lance which will fund the purchase of a new 3D printer for the HAPS EAST lab. Looking on left to right, are Rotarian Clay Lance, HAPS Principal Dr. Carol Ann Duke, HAPS EAST Facilitator Jacqueline Brady, and Rotarians Cindy Lance and Robert Green. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools
HOPE – Rotarian Robert Green had an idea during a recent Hope Rotary Club meeting when the group discussed how to support a local need. At the same time, a group of 10 Hope Academy of Public Service students began selling decals to raise money to buy a new 3D printer for the HAPS EAST lab.
“I just thought, ‘Why not?’” Green said.
The suggestion drew overwhelming support from club members and Nov. 8, Green, Rotary President Amanda Lance, and Rotarians Clay Lance and Cindy Lance presented the HAPS EAST program a check for $2,000 to fund the purchase.
“The Hope Rotary Club is here to serve our community at-large and is proud to donate the funds to purchase a 3D printer for HAPS EAST,” Amanda Lance said. “Investing in education, especially high-tech and innovative education, is one way Hope Rotary can support our community.”
She said the club generates most of its service work from membership ideas.
“Our members are always looking for new and innovative ways to serve, and would welcome any ideas from the educational system on what may be needed for those efforts,” Lance said.
“Team Printer” members included Kayleigh Williams, Mackynzie Carrigan, Sinclaire Messer, Miracle Glenn, Lizeth Gallardo, Aubri Newton, Stephanie Gonzalez, Elizabeth Wyatt, Jasmine Aguilar and Wendy Toledano.
The team produced HAPS and Hope Bobcats logo decals for sale to raise the $1,500 to $1,900 for the new printer.
The decal stickers will be sold by Team Printer through Nov. 19 and may be ordered for $5 each. Orders will be taken by team members during the school day at the EAST classroom, call 870-722-2700 ext. 411, through the HapsEAST Facebook page, or by using the order form provided on the HAPS website.
Funds raised through the decal sales will be applied to supplies needed to operate the new printer, which HAPS EAST Facilitator Jacqueline Brady said will be on order soon.
Three-dimensional printers are essentially what the name means; they are capable of producing hard plastic objects in three dimensions by building layers of material from a pre-programmed design. While the device is usable for making novelty items such as keychain holders, it is also important in producing parts for other projects such as the robotics program.