Summer Program Recap | SUSTech School of Design Hosts a Science Outreach Program for Children

From July 16 to 17, 2026, Professor Hao Liang's additive manufacturing research team at the college, relying on the 'Design + Technology' interdisciplinary research platform of the SUSTech School of Design, organized a two-day series of children's science and innovation activities focused on additive manufacturing. The event primarily targeted the children of faculty and staff members, while the 'Bright Prints for the Future' student team from Gannan Normal University also joined on site to collaborate in the learning experience. The college integrated the cutting-edge research resources of Professor Hao's team, teamed up with 3D printing industry leader Bambu Lab, and created an immersive science and innovation education system that combines 'theoretical science education—lab tours—digital hands-on training — creative experience—digital hands-on—school-enterprise practice—industrial field visits.' The event actively explored an innovative model for empowering youth science education through interdisciplinary approaches.

Day 1:

Immersive Lab Sessions – Establishing Foundational Knowledge of 3D Printing

Multi-Dimensional Materials Science Class: Breaking Down the Logic of Additive Manufacturing Materials

On the afternoon of the first day of the event, Professor Hao Liang, along with Shamoon, a senior researcher from the additive manufacturing research group, and assistant Li Xinyao, held a professional science outreach lecture for all participants. The lecture took into account both the cognitive characteristics of younger audiences and the professional learning needs of the research group's affiliated student team 'Bright Prints for the Future.' Using four series of physical printing samples—shell biomimicry, human bone biomimicry, leaf-vein lightweight structures, and high-precision metals—they broke down the mechanical properties, microstructures, and application boundaries of different printing materials layer by layer.

On-site, there are hands-on specimen observation stations, interactive Q&A, and discussion sessions, where school kids and research team students participate and communicate together. Through direct experience and two-way discussions, they clarify the forming mechanisms and real-world applications of various additive manufacturing materials, building a structured knowledge framework for materials.

Science Outreach Lecture

Tour of the Full-Category Additive Manufacturing Lab: Firsthand Look at Smart Manufacturing Processes

After the science lecture, Senior Researcher Shamoon and assistant Li Xinyao from the research team led everyone into Professor Hao Liang's standardized additive manufacturing lab. They gave a systematic explanation of the technical architectures, operational logic, and industrial applications of desktop FDM machines and industrial metal 3D printers. Participants got a close-up look at the full process of layer-by-layer 3D printing, checked out various lab samples and the team's innovative designs, and got a comprehensive understanding of the additive manufacturing full suite of manufacturing equipment and cutting-edge research directions.

Visit the lab

Hands-On Demo of Food-Grade 3D Printers: Exploring Crossovers Between Design and Food Technology

At the end of the visit, everyone got a close-up look at the food-grade 3D chocolate printer independently developed by Professor Hao Liang's team. The researchers gave a full demo of the whole process—from melting the cocoa ingredients to path programming and layer-by-layer shaping. Participants watched closely and took notes on the innovative technique. Once the chocolate prints were done, everyone got to taste the finished products, appreciating the unique outcomes of the team's tech-powered creative designs and getting a real sense of the innovation that comes from interdisciplinary collaboration.

Experience a 3D chocolate printer

Next day: Partner with leading industry companies to connect the whole chain from digital design to industrial implementation

AI-powered Digital Modeling Training: Building Practical Smart Design Skills

On the morning of July 17, Dr. Wu Ming held a hands-on course on digital intelligent modeling, focusing on core process parameters like slicing software layer height, infill density, and support structures, giving detailed guidance. He demonstrated the standardized workflow of converting a 3D digital model into a printing program. The course also introduced Tencent Hunyuan AI-assisted modeling tools, organizing children from the school and students from the 'Bright Prints for the Future' research group into teams for hands-on practice. They independently completed the whole process of AI-driven creative model generation, process parameter optimization, and pre-print preparation, getting a real sense of how AI technology lowers the barrier to design and boosts creative efficiency.

Learning how to operate a 3D printer

School-Industry Collaborative Mixed-Age Workshop, Nurturing Innovative Practical Skills Through a Collaborative Model

That afternoon, professional instructors from Bambu Lab, a leading company in the industry, came to the school. They aligned with Professor Hao Liang's research team’s directions to offer hands-on teaching from an industry perspective. The session provided a structured explanation on market positioning, operating systems, and civilian applications of consumer-grade additive manufacturing equipment. The activity innovatively used a 'cross-age peer mentorship model' mixed-age learning approach, pairing younger students in the school with members of the research team. Together, they chose creative models like cultural ornaments and decorative hangings, then sequentially completed the full process from digital slicing, equipment operation, to physical production. Research team students helped the younger participants with equipment setup. After finishing their creations, each group presented their work and shared ideas. Through this collaborative process, they experienced the unique charm of creating real-world objects.

Bambu Lab professional instructors visit the school

This two-day children’s science and innovation series was an important practice for Professor Hao Liang’s Additive Manufacturing Research Team at the SUSTech School of Design in implementing open education and fulfilling the public science outreach mission of universities. The research team used its own additive manufacturing research platform as the core, collaborating with leading industry companies to build a complete science and innovation learning cycle covering awareness, observation, hands-on experience, practical training, and research.

The event focused on young audiences on campus while also engaging the student team “Bright Prints for the Future” under the research group to participate in project-based learning. Using a mixed-age collaborative approach, it promoted science innovation awareness for younger participants and professional research learning for the research team students. On one hand, by showcasing the team’s cutting-edge research results, it presented advanced manufacturing techniques to spark innovation in young minds and opened a new path for youth science education in “Design & Advanced Manufacturing.” On the other hand, the event created an internal platform for research and practice, giving research team students high-quality opportunities to engage closely with top research and frontline industry.

Looking ahead, Professor Hao Liang’s Additive Manufacturing Research Team at the SUSTech School of Design will continue to open up high-quality research resources, deepen university-industry and inter-university collaboration, and keep producing professional, systematic, and immersive science and innovation content to continuously empower the long-term development of multi-disciplinary innovative talents.