Parsons Corporation to Support 3D Printer Program in PUSD Schools

Parsons Corporation, the worldwide firm based in Old Pasadena, has committed to becoming a sustaining sponsor of Pasadena Educational Foundation’s 3D printing program within the Pasadena Unified School District.

With 3D printers in each of Pasadena Unified’s 27 schools, students have turned into technical collaborators. Today Chuck Harrington, Parsons’ Chairman and CEO, witnessed the 3D printer program at Marshall Fundamental Secondary School in action.

Harrington was joined by Pasadena Unified Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald, Pasadena Educational Foundation Executive Director Dr. Patrick Conyers, PEF Director of Development Angela Parris, Marshall Principal Dr. Mark Anderson, and Marshall Graphic Design Teacher Miguel Almena, as well as by a group of graphic design students who are working on 3D printing projects for a prosthetic company—an example of the 3D printing program’s success.

The students use computer-aided design software, known as CAD, to develop 3D models, resulting in both a math and art lesson.

“Parsons has been supporting PEF through board memberships and financial contributions since 1999, and we are happy to continue sustaining PEF’s efforts to develop educational tools for PUSD students with our $20,000 sponsorship,” said Harrington. “We are particularly excited to support PEF’s 3D printing program because it has introduced PUSD students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In 2013, we implemented 3D printing in two of our offices as part of our technical innovation challenge.”

Superintendent McDonald added, “We are grateful for the support from Parsons, which will help us grow and sustain the 3D program in our district. Learning to work with this evolving technology provides endless opportunities for our students.”

As an international engineering, construction, technical, and management services firm, Parsons representatives say the firm understands the value of introducing students to STEM and has spearheaded and/or supported STEM internship and in-school programs in the communities where its employees live and work.

For the past 18 years, Parsons has led the ParSTEM Pasadena Chapter—previously called the Future Scientists and Engineers of America—at several district schools.

Through this program, Parsons employees volunteer to work with PUSD students to perform real engineering and science. Parsons staff engage students in hands-on projects that range from building a robot to constructing a basic bridge. In addition, Parsons participates in other activities such as mock interviews and resume workshops.

For more about the Pasadena Educational Foundation, visit  http://pased.org.  For more about Parsons, please see www.parsons.com.