3DE Club Launches Hybrid Platform Teaching Entrepreneurship Through 3D Printing
Event Held at the Museum of Art & History (MAH) on Jan 25th, 2026.
Santa Cruz, CA – Jan 25, 2025: 3DE Club Launches a Hybrid EdTech Platform to Deliver Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Education, Empowering Elementary Students to Thrive in the AI-Driven Future.
Official Digital Launch of the Entrepreneurship Platform
Congressional Recognition – Office of Rep. Jimmy Panetta
The event was supported by JoeBen Bevirt (Joby Aviation), Doug Erickson (Santa Cruz Works), Jeremy Neuner (Google Partnerships), Sol Lipman (CEO, DRIVR), Amelia Eichel (CEO, Wonderfil), Jason Borgen (CTO, SCCOE), Eric Gross (Superintendent/Principal, Pacific Elementary School) and others.
Special guests including Ed Colligan (Former CEO, Palm, Inc.), Hillary Bryant (Community Foundation), Tanner Rowland (Congressional Aide, Office of Congressman Panetta), Hannah Wikse (Head of Gateway School), amongst others.
3DE CLUB LAUNCH EVENT FEATURED ON KSBW ACTION NEWS 8
FIRESIDE CHAT WITH JOEBEN BREVIT, CEO JOBY AVIATION
Moderated by Doug Erickson, CEO Santa Cruz Works
The program opened with a fireside chat featuring JoeBen Bevirt, Founder of Joby Aviation, moderated by Doug Erickson, Executive Director of Santa Cruz Works.
JoeBen shared insights from his journey as a founder and emphasized the importance of curiosity, resilience, and hands-on learning in shaping the next generation of innovators.
At the end of the session, young 3DE Club members asked JoeBen questions about his early childhood entrepreneurial experiences and how they led to his role today as the founder of a multi-billion-dollar aviation company.
PANEL DISCUSSION - PREPARING OUR YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE
Panelists include entrepreneurs and educators
This was followed by an entrepreneurs panel discussion featuring Jason Borgen (CTO, Santa Cruz County Office of Education), Amelia Eichel (CEO, Wonderfil), and Sol Lipman (CEO, DRIVR).
The panel explored how schools can better equip students with real-world problem-solving skills, creativity, and adaptability in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and automation.
Panel members also participated in mini “Shark Tank”-style presentations, where young 3DE Club members pitched their products and answered their challenging questions.
3DE KID MEMBERS PITCHING THEIR 3D PRINTED CREATIONS
Kids selling their 3D printed creations
JoeBen visting the kids booths
PITCH VIDEOS
FIONA (Age:11) - Coral Themed Pencil Holder
HUNTER (Age: 11) - Minecraft-themed holder
MIA (Age: 10) - Sandy Garden
MILO (Age:10) - Boss Station
GISELLE (Age: 9) - Cat & Mouse Attack
3D Club Kids with Moderator Jeremy
PANEL DISCUSSION - PREPARING OUR YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE
3DE Club Program Reviews from a Parent and Educator
Parents Perspective - Joe Madden
Parent and CEO of Futir
Educators Perspective - Eric Gross
Superintendent/Principal, Pacific Elementary School
CERTIFICATE OF SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION
PRESENTED TO 3DE CLUB FROM THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN PANETTA
Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19)
U.S. House of Representatives
RECOGNITION FROM SANTA CRUZ MAYOR FRED KEELEY
Bobby Roy, Founder & Learning Architect, 3DE Club — recognized by the Mayor at the City Council meeting for the launch and community impact of 3DE Club.
Mayor Fred Keeley
Santa Cruz
About 3D Entrepreneurs (3DE) Club
Empowering Future Changemakers
3DE Club offers a hybrid afterschool enrichment program for elementary students that teaches 3D technology, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through the hands-on, innovative medium of 3D printing.
The 3DE program is a modern, digital twist on the classic lemonade stand. Gen Alpha students (ages 8–12) spend 2 hours per week designing and creating 3D-printed products via our EdTech platform, develop presentation and communication skills by pitching their creations at Innovation Showcases, and learn foundational financial concepts including saving, investing, and donating to causes they care about.
Beyond fostering creativity, confidence, and community impact, our mission is to cultivate Education 4.0 skills identified by the World Economic Forum—problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability—that are essential for students to thrive and lead in an AI-driven world.
Following successful pilot programs at Imagination Lab School in Palo Alto and Pacific Elementary School in Davenport, the 3DE Club EdTech platform launch event was held at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) on January 25, 2025.
3DE Club plans to launch its after-school program across ten elementary schools in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) in 2026, before expanding to other cities across the United States.
For more information visit: https://3de.club
3DE Program Reviews
“This initiative offers an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy—by empowering young people to become builders, creators, and entrepreneurs who drive inclusive economic prosperity in our community” - Doug Erickson, Executive Director, Santa Cruz Works.
"We definitely need more entrepreneurs with the core skills outlined by 3DE" - Ed Colligan, Former CEO, Palm Inc.
"The project has the potential to prepare kids for an emergent future that is categorically different from what their parents and teachers know" - Eric Gross, Superintendent, Pacific Elementary School
"This is such a promising and exciting program for youth" - Bob Langseth, Former Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club
"Kids need this kind of problem-solving curriculum to succeed in tomorrow's world" - Arne Lang-Ree, Founder & CDO, Spanner Design
To view more latest 3DE Club news and podcasts
$900,000 SCHOLARSHIP GOAL FOR 2026
Help us empower 1,000 students from low-income families with technology and entrepreneurship education for just $900 per youth for one entire year.
All donations are tax-deductible and processed through our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, Social Good Fund
REVIEWS
JEFF SMITH
Awaiting Review
HOLLY HENDERSON
Awaiting Review
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