Iqaluit students turn science and math into a business

Baptiste Tagnigou Petnkeu, an 11-year-old student, stays after school three afternoons each week to study math, science and business at Iqaluit’s French language school École des Trois-Soleils.

Wait — it’s way more fun than it sounds.

The Grade 6 student is among seven members of the school’s robotics club. Each week, they digitally conceive, design, create — and sometimes sell — an array of products using three 3D printers in the school’s growing technology lab.

“I’m really good with the machine,” Petnkeu said Tuesday, as he led a tour of the space. “It’s fun.”

He uses the Tinkercad app to craft digital models of his ideas. Some are original. Others he finds online or develops by scanning photographs.

The software translates Petnkeu’s ideas into the plastic printer, which creates his visions in the colour of his choice in minutes.

The 3D printer looks a little like a sewing machine, and prints similar to a standard paper printer. But instead of ink, it deposits a thin string of plastic, placing one line on top of another until it has created the product.

Small pieces take 10 minutes to create. Larger ones can take much longer.

Baptiste Tagnigou Petnkeu makes a custom design using the Tinkercad app, on Tuesday at Iqaluit’s French language school École des Trois-Soleils. (Photo by Daron Letts)

Products range from decorative vases and sculptures to practical luggage tags and keychains. The lab also features a T-shirt screen printer and a vinyl sticker-making machine.

Petnkeu learned to use the technology last year, taught by teacher Sylvie Arsenault before she retired. Science and math teacher Gislain Mba has picked up where Arsenault left off.

Mba has requisitioned an embroidery machine and three sewing machines to increase the skills offered by the club.

Petnkeu and his classmates have sold 3D-printed products such as toys, vases and keychains at two craft sales this winter, earning the club $900.

For Mba, the club provides an opportunity to teach the youngsters about financial literacy.

The students have agreed to save up for a 3D printer capable of printing edible chocolate products, Petnkeu said

He said club members might begin to take a portion of the proceeds from selling plastic wares to donate to local charities.

Despite his technological skill set and business aspirations, Petnkeu said he plans to play professional hockey when he grows up. If that doesn’t pan out, pro soccer is his fallback.