ShopBot Announces "Digital Fab Tools for Schools"

DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ShopBot Tools, a leader in digital design and fabrication tools, has launched "Digital Fab Tools for Schools" at their education website, www.100kSchools.org. This promotion supports the wider availability of digital fabrication technology in schools, in collaboration with Autodesk, Inc. (www.autodesk.com). Using digital fabrication helps teachers incorporate hands-on "making" to teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and other subjects.

With the support of Autodesk, a leader in cloud-based design and engineering software, this ShopBot promotion provides teachers a voucher worth $2,500 toward purchase of a ShopBot Desktop CNC, together with ShopBot's training and support, and a free* copy of Autodesk 123D Design software. This software is a 3D modeling tool that allows users to create a digital model and then 3D print or fabricate their idea.

These vouchers are only available to teachers, at www.100kSchools.org. They use the vouchers to purchase tools directly from ShopBot. Fifty ShopBot tools have been set aside for qualifying educators in the U.S. on a first come, first served basis.

Ted Hall, Founder and CEO of ShopBot (www.shopbottools.com), explained, "Along with the Desktop tool and Autodesk 123D Design software, we'll be providing special projects and tutorials at 100kSchools.org to help teachers get up to speed with digital fabrication, and its empowering capability to teach STEM, arts and other subjects. Our education customers continually report that students make real progress in math and science by making projects. "

"We're excited to partner with ShopBot in bringing digital fabrication tools into more schools to provide a fun, hands-on learning experience," said Samir Hanna, VP of Consumer Products, Autodesk. "We believe everyone is creative and the Autodesk 123D Design app is a great fit for anyone with the urge to make."

Vouchers are only available at 100kSchools.org. One of the benefits of the program is free access to the growing digital fabrication teachers' community of 100kSchools.org. This resource houses free projects, curricula, and forums for teachers. And with its "Buddy" (teachers helping teachers) community, 100kSchools.org will help connect the growing number of educators who are incorporating digital fabrication into their STEM, vocational, arts, and entrepreneurial programs.

*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license and services agreement that accompanies the software.

SOURCE ShopBot Tools, Inc.