Key Dates for Makers Empire
Makers Empire was incorporated
Makers Empire 3D software was conceived when Australian games designer Roland Peddie noticed the creativity and problem-solving abilities displayed by video games players when customising game characters. After attending university in Adelaide, Roland worked at Ratbag Games, and then in Scotland with Realtime Worlds where he won a BAFTA for his work on the Xbox..Read more
Piloted the 3D Printing Learning Program in three South Australian schools
Jon immediately saw the learning potential of Roland’s software and showed it to his wife, an educator, who helped them organise a trial of the software with a class of grade six students. Their instincts were confirmed when they saw the quality and complexity of the designs the students were able to create with Roland’s intuitive design..Read more
Launched Makers Empire’s 3D printing learning program in Australia
While trials showed students responding enthusiastically to Makers Empire, results also showed that teachers weren’t sure how to integrate 3D design and printing into their teaching practice. It was clear that Makers Empire’s software would only achieve limited educational benefits unless teachers were supported by teaching tools, resources, professional development and training. So the team enlisted the services of an..Read more
Top 10 finalist in the Global EdTech Startup Awards
Makers Empire was selected from 360 applicants as a Top 10 finalist in the Global Edtech Startups Awards 2014. The competition’s goal is to identify, highlight and recognise the world’s most promising EdTech startups for 2014 – those which present the potential for groundbreaking learning solutions. Jon Soong, CEO of Makers Empire, commented, “The team..Read more
Won People’s Choice Award at the IMS Global Learning Impact Awards
The Learning Impact Program recognises outstanding applications of technology that address the most significant challenges facing the global education and training industries. Jon Soong, CEO Makers Empire, presented Makers Empire’s Learning Program for design and 3D printing for primary schools’that helps schools experience the benefits of design and 3D printing to achieve learning outcomes. After all..Read more
Piloted Makers Empire in 10 New York State schools
In 2015, Makers Empire partnered with New York State public schools and the New York Institute of Technology’s Technology Based Learning Systems on a successful pilot to introduce its 3D printing learning program to a dozen New York State schools. “Prior to the pilot most of our schools were struggling to understand how to integrate 3D..Read more
Won SouthStart’s Pitch Competition
On Thursday 4th February, Makers Empire was one of six start ups selected to present at SouthStart’s Pitch Competition. The Pitch Competition — the final session of the two-day conference held at the Adelaide Convention Centre — saw the companies competing for a range of cash and prizes worth $20,000. Jon Soong, CEO of Makers Empire..Read more
Won Bronze at the IMS Global Learning Impact Awards
Makers Empire is delighted to announce that we were the proud recipients of a Bronze award at the recent IMS Global Learning Impact Awards from 4-7 May, 2015 in Atlanta Georgia USA. The Learning Impact Leadership Institute is the world’s premier collaboration of K-20 Leaders. Hosted by the IMS Global Learning Consortium, the Awards were judged by a panel of..Read more
Joint winner of the Start Up Company of the Year award at the SA IAwards
The national iAwards honours companies at the cutting edge of technology innovation and recognises the achievements of home-grown Australian innovators. The key goal of the iAwards is to discover, recognise and reward the ICT innovations that have the potential to, or are already having a positive impact on the community – at home, in the office..Read more
Finalist in Boston’s Mass Challenge global accelerator
Makers Empire joined the MassChallenge 4-month business accelerator program in Boston, USA. Now in its sixth year, MassChallenge is one of the largest and most sought after accelerator programs in the world, having helped launch over 600 startups that have gone on to raise almost $1 billion dollars, generated over $485 million in revenue and..Read more
NewSchools Ignite Science Challenge Winner
NewSchools Ignite is an initiative of NewSchools Venture Fund, a philanthropic investor headquartered in Oakland, California. NewSchools Ignite supports entrepreneurs working to address the most pressing gaps in K-12 education technology. Makers Empire has been selected as a key player in helping address the gaps in both achieving better STEM outcomes for underserved students and the availability of appropriate tools..Read more
QS Stars/Reimagine Education Award Finalist
Reimagine Education is a global competition for educators, companies, schools, universities, foundations & NGOs. Reimagine rewards innovative approaches aimed at enhancing student learning outcomes and employability, offering $50,000 in funding to the overall winners and 16 ‘Oscars’ of Education. It culminates in an international conference held in London for all those seeking to shape the..Read more
Ran pilot project with SA Department for Education
Makers Empire partnered with the SA Department for Education on a 3D printing in schools pilot project with around twenty schools. Designed to engage students in STEM using 3D technology, the 3D Printing in Primary Schools project is a joint initiative between Makers Empire, the Department for Education (South Australia) and public primary schools in South..Read more
Phase 2 of the 3D printing project with SA Education Department
After a successful pilot program in 2016 with around twenty schools, fifty South Australian schools undertook the Makers Empire Learning by Design Course, a ten-week blended professional development program for districts and clusters of schools. Designed to engage students in STEM using 3D technology, the 3D Printing in Primary Schools project is a joint initiative between Makers..Read more
Makers Empire is used by 200,000 students and 3,000+ teachers
Makers Empire is being used by 200,000+ students and 3,000+ teachers in elementary, primary and middle schools around the world.
Makers Empire partners with Polar to help deliver GE Additive Program
Makers Empire has joined forces with the American technology company, Polar 3D, which has invested in the company. Through the partnership, Makers Empire will also be included in the GE Additive Education Program, which is delivering classroom packages to schools around the globe, giving access to 3D printing to nearly 200,000 students. “We are excited..Read more
Makers Empire’s Learning by Design Course endorsed by NESA
Makers Empire’s Learning by Design Course is now endorsed to provide NESA accredited professional development for teachers accredited at the Proficient Teacher level. Specifically, Makers Empire’s Learning by Design course will contribute 20 hours of NESA Registered PD addressing 1.2.2, 2.1.2., 2.2.2, 2. 6.2., 3.3.2., 3.4.2., 4.5.2., 6.3.2., 6.4.2. and 7.4.2. from the Australian Professional..Read more
Receives 5-star review by Common Sense Media
Common Sense is well known to both teachers and parents as a highly reputable resource to help them assess the quality and suitability of movies, games, apps and programs for children. The detailed Common Sense Education ratings and teacher-training platform help over half a million teachers better use new educational tools, apps, and technologies to..Read more
Phase 3 of the 3D printing project with the SA Education Department
Began Phase Three of the 3D printing in primary schools project with the South Australian Education Department, with 100 South Australian schools undertaking a ten-week, blended professional development program for districts and clusters of schools. Following the success of a pilot project in 2016 with around twenty schools, the partnership expanded in 2017 with 49 schools taking..Read more
Makers Empire runs 3D printing courses with the University of Adelaide
Makers Empire teamed up with the Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre at the University of Adelaide to deliver two introductory 3D printing courses for people with little or no 3D experience. Curious about 3D Printing? Wishing you could learn more about 3D technology? Explore the potential of 3D design and printing as a valuable prototyping..Read more
Makers Empire is being used by 350,000+ students and 6,500+ teachers
Makers Empire is being used by 350,000+ students and 6,500+ teachers in elementary, primary and middle schools around the world.
Makers Empire again partners with Polar 3D for the GE Additive Program
For the second year, Makers Empire is again a key partner in the worldwide GE Additive Program, which saw 3D printers and 3D design tools, resources, curriculum, professional development and software provided to 600 schools around the world, including 100+ schools in Australia. GE Additive has made a significant financial commitment over five years to invest..Read more
Mandi Dimitriadis, Director of Learning, is a finalist in the Winnovation Awards
We’re proud to announce that Mandi Dimitriadis our awesome Director of Learning, is a finalist in the 2018 Winnovation Awards. The Winnovation Awards showcase and celebrate the successes of female innovators changing the game in South Australia. We’re thrilled that Mandi’s work to help primary and middle school educators teach Design Thinking, STEM and 21st-century learning skills with 3D..Read more
Macquarie University research shows compelling evidence of learning benefits for students
A new Australian university research study on makerspaces in primary school settings reveals compelling evidence of the benefits of this type of learning for primary educators. From 2017 to 2018, Macquarie University’s Department of Educational Studies partnered with the NSW Department of Education, three schools and Makers Empire. The research study report revealed that Makers..Read more
Jon Soong, CEO of Makers Empire a Winner at the Impact Awards
Jon Soong, CEO of Makers Empire is awarded a scholarship to the CEO Institute at the 2018 Impact Awards. Congratulations to our 2018 winners. Carefully chosen by international leaders and influencers of South Australia, these companies are considered to be primed for profound growth due to world class capabilities. They will receive dedicated support from..Read more
New pilot to deliver 3D technology to 235 UAE primary schools
Makers Empire is happy to announce a new partnership with Dubai-based education consultancy company, Ibtikar, to deliver a country-wide rollout of 3D technology into over 200 primary schools in 2019 for the United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Education (MoE). To achieve the country-wide rollout, Makers Empire will provide curriculum, 3D software (Makers Empire 3D), teacher resources, training and..Read more
Makers Empire launches new 3D game creator, Maze Mania, in the Game Zone
Makers Empire launches new 3D game creator, Maze Mania, in the new Game Zone of its Makers Empire 3D design app. With this 3D game creator, students can design their own 3D mazes for other students to play. Game Zone has been carefully designed by our team to complement and accentuate student’s learning, drawing heavily..Read more
Makers Empire is #2 in Common Sense Education’s Best EdTech of 2018
The editorial staff at highly regarded US media company, Common Sense Education, evaluated and rated approximately 180 tools for learning potential in 2018. Amongst so many market-leading products, Makers Empire was thrilled and humbled to be ranked second in their top picks of the 20 best EdTech apps, games and websites right after the wonderful..Read more
Completed the Inaugural Microsoft Sydney Scaleup Program
Microsoft Australia last week hosted its inaugural ScaleUp Showcase for the first cohort of startups to complete the four month program, which kicked-off in September. At the showcase, which took place at the Microsoft Reactor in the Sydney StartUp Hub, each of the 12 participants pitched their company to industry experts, showcasing their business strategy and products...Read more
NSW Schools Join Together for Maker Pedagogy Network Project
Following the successful 2017-2018 Macquarie University research project into primary school makerspaces with the Department of Education NSW and three NSW public schools, 14 NSW schools will be part of the first NSW Maker Pedagogy Network Project (MPNP) to begin in Term 1, 2019. The MPNP is designed to develop sustainable and scaleable models of..Read more
Phase 4 of the 3D Printing Project in Schools With The SA Department for Education
The fourth year of this successful partnership between the Department for Education (SA), Makers Empire and participating schools will see 100 more schools complete Makers Empire’s Learning by Design course. By the end of 2019, 270 South Australian schools with a primary enrolment will have completed Makers Empire’s popular blended professional learning course. Designed to..Read more
Celebrating 10 million maze runs in new Maze Mania game creator
Makers Empire is celebrating 10 million maze runs by students in its new Maze Mania game. Launched last October as a game creator within the Makers Empire 3D design app, Maze Mania lets students create their own 3D mazes for their friends and peers to try to complete. Within a month of launch, students had attempted 1 million maze..Read more
Toyota Community Trusts Funds STEM project in Melbourne
Makers Empire is delighted to announce that the company has received a $60,000 grant from the Toyota Community Trust to help deliver 3D technology and professional learning to eight schools in Melbourne’s West. The West Melbourne 3D Printing in Schools Project is designed to develop sustainable and scalable models of professional learning that lead to effective implementation of STEM..Read more
Denver Public School District Chooses Makers Empire
Denver Public Schools is teaming up with Makers Empire to help its teachers integrate 3D technology into their classrooms. Denver Public Schools is a large district with almost 200 schools in the United States of America. Denver Public Schools’ technology coordinators, Stephanie and Kathleen, had identified a need to provide interested teachers within the district the..Read more
Makers Empire’s Teaching by Design Course endorsed by NESA
Makers Empire is delighted to announce that a new Makers Empire course, Teaching by Design, has been endorsed by the New South Wales (NSW) Education Standards Authority at the Highly Åccomplished Teacher level. In NSW, all teachers currently need to undertake 20 hours of professional development each year to maintain their professional accreditation. Teaching by..Read more
Makers Empire’s In App Design Thinking Competition Attracts 24,000 Entries
Every month, Makers Empire runs an in-app competition challenging students to come up with a 3D solution to a real-world problem using Makers Empire. Students from all around the world compete to make it into the Hall Of Fame. In May, students submitted 24,000 entries to the Family Treasures competition. Check out the winning designs..Read more
8 million designs made using Makers Empire 3D!
Students make 50,000 new 3D designs using Makers Empire every day.
Makers Empire used by 850,000 students and 16,000 teachers in 1,000 schools
Makers Empire is being used by 850,000+ students and 16,000+ teachers in 1,000+ elementary, primary and middle schools around the world. Makers Empire is now used in forty countries around the world.
Makers Empire and Adelaide University Deliver Prototyping with 3D Printing Course
Following their successful prototyping with 3D printing short course, Makers Empire will be again partnering with the University of Adelaide to deliver a new 3D printing prototyping course for postgraduate students. 3D Print Prototyping is being offered in term 4 of 2019 at the North Terrace campus. It counts as 3 units towards a postgraduate degree...Read more
State Finalist in Telstra Business Awards 2019
We are thrilled that Makers Empire has been recognised as a State Finalist in the 2019 Telstra Business Awards for the Social Change Maker category. Social Change Makers are organisations where a positive social impact is at the core of their purpose. 21,000 businesses were nominated for the awards, putting Makers Empire in the top 0.8% of..Read more
Mandi Dimitriadis, Director of Learning at Makers Empire, Wins 2019 Winnovation Award
We’re thrilled to announce that Mandi Dimitriadis, our wonderful Director of Learning, was declared the winner of the 2019 Winnovation Award in the ‘Open’ category at a Gala Dinner in Adelaide on October 3rd, 2019. Congratulations, Mandi!! The Winnovation Awards showcase and celebrate the successes of female innovators changing the game in South Australia. Mandi was..Read more
Australian Office Moves to Lot 14 Innovation Hub
We have moved into our new office at Lot 14 innovation hub, on the grounds of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital. Lot Fourteen will be the new home of some of the world’s leading companies in emerging technology so we’re excited to be joining as founding tenants. Our new address is Lot 14, 3rd Floor,..Read more
Makers Empire awarded LeanLab Fellowship for research pilot in Kansas schools
Makers Empire is proud to announce that we’ve received a LeanLab fellowship for a research pilot of our 3D learning program so we can develop a better, scientific understanding of how our 3D learning program might best serve American schools. LeanLab is an organisation that builds communities and launches transformational innovations into K12 schools. With..Read more
Makers Empire Wins EduTech Asia’s Pitch Competition
Makers Empire was recently in Singapore for EduTech Asia, Asia’s largest education event, to support Macquarie University’s presentation about their pioneering research into primary school makerspaces. Co-founder, Anthony, also took part in the first-ever EduTech Asia pitch competition and won! Prizes include entry into the first cohort of the EduSpaze Accelerator, which will help Makers Empire develop..Read more