Tegal, June 28, 2025 – The rapid development of digital technology demands introduction and literacy from an early age, including for Junior High School (SMP) students. One of the modern manufacturing technologies that is now being introduced to elementary education is the 3D Printer, also known as three-dimensional printing technology.
This is the focus of the community service program carried out by the Semarang State University Faculty of Engineering (FT UNNES) Team at SMP Negeri 1 Margasari, Tegal Regency. In the opening ceremony, the Dean of FT UNNES, Prof. Dr. Wirawan Sumbodo, M.T., who is also an alumnus of the junior high school, expressed his hope that every technological development—especially those related to digital manufacturing—can be introduced since junior high school.
“Technological literacy such as 3D Printers needs to be introduced since junior high school. This is important to build students’ enthusiasm for learning and foster innovative and technology-based entrepreneurship skills in the future,” said Prof. Wirawan.
The training activities at SMP N 1 Margasari were filled with practical materials on operating a 3D Printer machine of the FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) type, involving students, teachers, and alumni. The training was led by Rizki Setiadi, S.Pd., M.T., a lecturer from FT UNNES, and a supporting team of students, namely Habib Bunajar (Automotive Engineering Education Study Program), Muhammad Khoirul Anam, and Rofex Pambudi (Mechanical Engineering Education Study Program).
The training began with an introduction to the 3D Printer device, followed by a demonstration of its use, and direct practice by participants. One of the products made by participants was a key chain using recycled filament from used plastic bottle waste.
This environmentally friendly filament technology was developed by FT UNNES researcher, M. Irfan Nuryanta, M.Eng., who succeeded in converting plastic bottle waste (rPET) into functional 3D printing materials. This process involves shredding, melting, and extruding plastic bottles into filaments, thus becoming a real example of circular economy innovation in education.
The principal of SMP N 1 Margasari, Drs. Winarko, M.Pd., welcomed this activity positively. In his speech, he expressed his gratitude for the training and handover of 1 unit of 3D Printer machine from the FT UNNES team. He hopes that this device can be used in learning crafts and student work, as well as encouraging the birth of technopreneurship products in the school environment.
“We hope that students can utilize this technology to create original works, and make plastic waste into materials that have economic and educational value,” he said.
This program also received support from alumni, including Sugeng Triyono, SE, MM, and his team, who participated in this collaborative initiative as a form of concern for the development of technology-based education in their home regions.
This program aligns with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 4-Quality Education: Enhancing inclusive and equitable quality education by integrating digital literacy and technology into early education, SDG 9-Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation through the use of advanced manufacturing technologies like 3D printing, and SDG 12-Responsible Consumption and Production: Encouraging the recycling of plastic waste and demonstrating principles of the circular economy through educational practices.
With this activity, FT UNNES hopes that the technology-based learning approach will not only be the domain of higher education, but can also be applied sustainably at the secondary school level to equip the younger generation to face the challenges of the future industry.
