Children at a Hove primary school used 3D printing to create hi-tech Halloween masks before painting them in a more traditional way.
The pupils at West Blatchington Primary and Nursery turned their downloaded designs into colourful masks as the half-term came to an end last week.
Each child chose a design and watched it 3D-printed in PLA – a plant-based filament that is biodegradable under industrial composting conditions.
The youngsters then personalised their masks with paint for a class exhibition at the school’s upcoming open afternoon.
The school, part of the Pioneer Academy, said that the project blended simple digital choice with hands-on creativity.
Children browsed an online library of mask designs, picked the one that they liked best and watched as the file become a physical mask on the school’s 3D printer.
Head teacher Russell Brentnall said: “It was brilliant to see their excitement when a design they chose slowly appeared from the printer and then came to life with colour.
“This is exactly the kind of learning we champion: combining modern tools with practical craft and giving children a chance to make choices and take pride in the result.”
Year 6 pupil Amelia said: “I didn’t know 3D printers could use plant plastic. Now I want to learn how to design things myself.”
A local parent, Mark Bryce-Sharron, 3D-printed the masks for the project. He said: “It was fantastic to help the children see technology working right in front of them.
“The designs were downloaded, printed in PLA – a plant-based material – and then they took over with the paintbrushes. Their creativity finished what the printer started.”
The finished masks will go on display during the upcoming Reception parent tours, giving prospective families a glimpse of the school’s creative and technology-rich curriculum.
Places are still available for the tours, with visitors able to view the masks in person at the next open afternoon on Tuesday 4 November from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.
