The world's most fun & easy to use 3D design learning program

Transform STEM learning and improve STEM performance with pioneering, research-backed 3D design tools and programs. Help K-10 students become confident creators, innovators and problem-solvers.

The world's most fun & easy to use 3D design learning program

Transform STEM learning and improve STEM performance with pioneering, research-backed 3D design tools and programs. Help K-10 students become confident creators, innovators and problem-solvers.

iPad showing Makers Empire 3D design app curriculum-aligned to mars design challenges

Lesson Resources

Curriculum-aligned lesson resources make teaching easier. Themed Challenge Courses comprise a series of videos, quizzes, tutorials and challenges and provide an engaging and scaffolded design program. The Lesson Plan Library houses 150+ searchable lesson plans.

Training Lab

The Training Lab houses helpful tutorials and videos created for new users as young as 5 years old. Start in the Video Room or Basic Tutorials to learn how to use the app’s tools and features. Pro tutorials show users how to make the most of the tools and features. 

Augmented Reality

The augmented reality (AR) tool enables students to visualise and test their designs in place-based contexts and demonstrate learning without a 3D printer. Using a device with a camera users can take a live view of their surroundings and insert their 3D design.

3 Design Editors K-10

Younger students create with freeform Shaper and voxel Blocker design editors. Older students use the new Advanced editor to sketch designs in 2D and then extrude them into 3D.  Advanced fills the gap between Shaper, Blocker and professional CAD tools. 

Design Check Tools

Students and teachers can use the print check tool to scan 3D designs for potential errors that might prevent them from printing well to save time and reduce waste. Users can also replay any 3D design with the replayer tool to learn how a design was created.

Teacher Dashboard

The Teacher Dashboard makes it easy to plan, teach and assess student work against the curriculum. It includes guided on boarding, simplified class management, assessment tools, professional development, print manager, and customisable lessons and tasks.

Total designs
90000000
Users in 50+ countries
3200001
New designs made a day
40000

Teaching with Makers Empire

 Explore personalised and adaptive STEM learning activities for grades K-10 students based on current, innovative pedagogies:

Trusted By Schools, Education Departments, Foundations & Sponsors

Transform Learning At School and Home

Makers Empire provides grade K-10 teachers with the tools, skills and resources to improve STEM learning outcomes for students, confidently teach Design & Technology curricula and engage students in authentic, real-world problem solving. In-app tutorials, daily challenges and curriculum-aligned challenge courses build students’ creative confidence and develop their Design Thinking skills. 

“This has been a wonderful new way to teach and motivate my students. They are so eager and excited to learn in this new way! They are beginning to see real-life implications to what they learning to do in class and how they could develop prototypes of objects that they could develop and then produce to sell… At first, I preferred Tinkercad because I knew this software better. However, now that I have had time to work with Makers Empire it is so much better. It does a much better job of showing you how to build and create… The overall enthusiasm towards school and learning has increased tremendously. Students who are typically reluctant learners have come to life,”
Robin McGinnis, STEM Leader
Mt. Healthy City School System, USA
“The kids love it and it is a pleasure to teach with. It is easy to use and all the extra activities do a great job at developing the skills necessary to design printable 3d models in a fun, game-like manner. My students continue their learning at home completing challenges and developing new skills. This is the true value of software. It can provide a platform for students who are enthusiastic to keep learning after the school bell rings… The addition of the Australian Curriculum aligned challenges is fantastic… Giving feedback to students and rewarding great work is very easy using the assessment tools.”
Jay Wright, SET, STLAN and Technologies Teacher
Vale View State School, Australia
“As a school, this has been a game-changer in the 3D design game for our students of all ages. This is a great design and creation tool that teachers and students can use to be innovative and share ideas with a vibrant community of makers. With Makers Empire, students learn how to identify needs and opportunities and then create, prototype, test and refine designs of solutions using 3D printing.”
Craig Kemp,Head of Educational Technology
Stamford American International School, Singapore
“I want to thank you for an amazing piece of software, the children absolutely adore working on it.”
Jonathan Cross, Head Coding Instructor
Ecole Francaise de Londres Jacques Prévert, London

Industry School Programs and Education Outreach Program​

Makers Empire has delivered STEM programs and 3D technology to groups of 200+ schools in Australia, the USA and the UAE. Engage students in STEM learning and real-world problem solving related to a topic like natural disasters, heritage conservation or climate change, or a specific industry like space, building and construction or advanced manufacturing. Our research-backed education programs cover Design & Technology curriculum, integrate 3D design and printing, increase teacher capacity, and improve student STEM learning outcomes.

“The Makers Empire – Andy Thomas Foundation Kids in Space Project was a comprehensive learning experience for both staff and students. Firstly, building teachers’ knowledge with quality PD on space and Makers Empire enabled teachers to confidently teach the students. The students were highly engaged in the learning, empowered to problem solve and be creative to solve space issues whilst developing their skills on Makers Empire. The showcase event with other schools around the state was a highlight. I would highly recommend this project for schools to participate in.”
Rory Hunt, Principal
Ungarra Primary School, Australia
QLD Peer Prize winner_ Vale View State School

Award-Winning, Market-Leading Products

Browse Amazing 3D Designs in the Global Design Gallery

A 2022 UniSA research study (see left) revealed compelling evidence that using Makers Empire can significantly improve primary school students’ spatial reasoning skills, a key indicator of future STEM success, whilst also decreasing STEM anxiety and improving students’ attitudes feelings toward STEM. Interestingly, improvements to spatial reasoning skills were even more pronounced in female students. At the same time, there was also a significant improvement in girls’ self­ efficacy – that is, they believed in their own abilities more, which is an important factor in STEM engagement.

A 2020 Macquarie University research study into primary makerspaces also showed clear evidence that maker activities with Makers Empire significantly enhance learning outcomes. Maker activities using 3D technology resulted in very high levels of student engagement, as well as increased levels of student confidence, particularly for less capable students. Students were observed to develop creativity, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, inquiry capabilities, design thinking skills, collaborative skills, autonomy, literacy, numeracy, scientific understanding, technological capabilities, communication skills, reflective learning capabilities and resilience.Â