Education and Science, Estonia, Technology

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who opened the event in the Tallinn Gustav Adolf Gymnasium, said that such initiatives modernise training of young people and help forward Estonian life. He expressed hope that the project meets its target to generate interest in engineering education among young people, and Hardi Meybaum as the initiator and supporter of the project helps grow good Estonian engineers.

Meybaum said that 3D printing is one of the world's fastest growing and most exciting areas. "Although already today, spare parts for space rockets are printed and people run on 3D-printed prostheses, above all, 3D printing provides young people and children the opportunity to try out as an engineer, and create something unique all by themselves with low resources," he said.

"I know first-hand that the direct experience and emotion that a design on the screen has become a tangible object and a working product, is invaluable," added Meybaum.

The main objective of the non-profit organization Eesti 2.0 is to create a platform through which to inspire young people to choose a technology-based future through various educational and development programs. The different projects bring to young people different technologies, and opportunities and solutions for their implementation. There will be workshops for young people and teachers as well as an annual conference of inspiration for young people, where world renowned engineers and entrepreneurs would speak.

The programme also offers young people the opportunity to find an internship in companies as a prerequisite for making it at the labour market. Eesti 2.0 is targeted at young people, from fifth grade to university.