eCraft2Learn · Project

Ready-to-Use Digital Maker Space Toolkit for Schools and Training Centers

digitalTestedTRL 5Thin data (2/5)

project.ecraft2learn.eu

Imagine giving school kids a workshop where they can dream up an idea, design it on a computer, program it, and then 3D-print or build it with electronics — all in one place. That's what this project built: a complete digital maker toolkit combining 3D printers, Arduino boards, Raspberry Pi, and custom software that guides students from idea to finished product. Think of it like a one-stop creative lab that teaches kids to think, build, and debug — skills that matter way more than memorizing textbooks. The system was tested across 6 European countries with 13 partners, including schools and EdTech companies.

By the numbers

consortium partners across the project

European countries involved in testing

EUR 1,943,248

total EU contribution to the project

industry partners in the consortium

SME partners involved

total project deliverables produced

demonstration deliverables with tested prototypes

The business problem

What needed solving

Schools and training centers want to teach practical digital skills — design, programming, electronics, 3D printing — but lack an integrated system that connects all these tools into a single learning workflow. Most education technology just puts old content on new screens, without giving learners real hands-on making experience. The result: graduates without the creative problem-solving and technical skills that employers actually need.

The solution

What was built

The project built a complete digital maker space ecosystem: hardware setups with 3D printers, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi (tested and evaluated in D4.2); a unified software interface for 3D design and programming (D4.4); an educational extension covering idea generation through simulation to printing with built-in feedback (D4.3); and an infrastructure analysis with user feedback system (D4.6). In total, 25 deliverables were produced, including 4 working demonstrations.

Audience

Who needs this

EdTech companies building STEAM learning platforms for K-12 schoolsCorporate training providers running digital fabrication upskilling programsSchool equipment suppliers expanding into maker space solutionsMunicipal education departments setting up city-wide maker programsFab lab and makerspace operators looking for structured educational curricula

Business applications

Who can put this to work

EdTech / Education Technology

SME

Target: Companies selling digital learning platforms or classroom technology to schools

If you are an EdTech company struggling to offer hands-on STEAM learning experiences beyond screen-based content — this project developed a complete ecosystem connecting 3D printing, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and a unified software interface that was tested across 6 countries. The toolkit includes adaptive learning features and covers the full cycle from idea generation to physical making. With 4 demo deliverables and 25 total deliverables, there is a substantial body of tested tools ready for commercial packaging.

Corporate Training / Workforce Development

mid-size

Target: Training providers and HR departments running upskilling programs in manufacturing or digital skills

If you are a training provider trying to teach practical digital fabrication skills to workers entering Industry 4.0 roles — this project created software and hardware setups for maker spaces that guide learners step-by-step through design, programming, simulation, and 3D printing. The system includes built-in feedback and debugging tools, reducing the need for expert instructors. It was validated with 13 consortium partners including 5 industry organizations.

School Furniture and Equipment Supply

any

Target: Companies supplying laboratory and workshop equipment to schools and universities

If you are an equipment supplier looking to expand into digital maker space setups for schools — this project produced a tested blueprint for what hardware works in educational settings. Their deliverable on 3D printing and DIY electronics infrastructure includes user feedback analysis and equipment evaluation results. The system was designed for both formal and informal learning environments, covering a gap that 13 partners across 6 countries identified as a real market need.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much would it cost to implement this maker space ecosystem?

The full EU-funded project ran on EUR 1,943,248 across 13 partners over 2 years. Individual implementation costs would depend on scale, but the hardware components (3D printers, Arduino, Raspberry Pi) are commodity items. The main value is in the software platform and educational methodology that ties everything together.

Can this scale to a national school network or large training organization?

The system was tested across 6 countries (AT, EL, FI, IT, SE, UK) with 13 partners, suggesting it handles diverse educational contexts. The unified user interface and adaptive learning features were designed for broad deployment, not just single-classroom experiments. Scaling would require licensing the software components and standardizing the hardware setup.

What about intellectual property and licensing?

This was an EU-funded Research and Innovation Action (RIA), so IP rules follow the Horizon 2020 grant agreement. The consortium of 13 partners — including 4 SMEs — jointly holds IP. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with the coordinator (University of Eastern Finland) or the relevant partner holding specific component rights.

Is the software still maintained and available?

The project ended in December 2018 and is now closed. Based on available project data, the project website (project.ecraft2learn.eu) was the primary access point. Prospective users should contact the coordinator to check current availability of the software tools and whether any partners have continued development commercially.

What hardware is needed to set up a maker space using this system?

The project specifically tested and evaluated 3D printers, Arduino platforms, and Raspberry Pi boards as the core hardware. Their deliverable D4.2 covers detailed testing and adaptation of suitable equipment. These are widely available, low-cost components, making the hardware side accessible for most schools and training centers.

Does this comply with education standards and curriculum requirements?

The ecosystem was designed for STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and supports both formal and informal learning. It was piloted in real school settings across 6 EU countries. Based on available project data, the adaptive learning features were built to support personalized teaching within existing educational settings.

Consortium

Who built it

The consortium of 13 partners from 6 countries (Austria, Greece, Finland, Italy, Sweden, UK) has a healthy mix of 6 universities and 5 industry players, with 4 of those being SMEs. The 38% industry ratio is solid for an education-focused research project — it means the tools were built with commercial viability in mind, not just academic publishing. The coordinator is the University of Eastern Finland (ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO), a public university, which means strong research foundations but commercial exploitation likely sits with the SME partners. For a business looking to license or adopt these tools, the SME partners are probably the best entry point for practical implementation discussions.

ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTOCoordinator · FI
LINNEUNIVERSITETETparticipant · SE
EUROPAIKO ERGASTIRIO EKPAIDEFTIKIS TECHNOLOGIASparticipant · EL
SYNYO GmbHparticipant · AT
UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEEparticipant · UK
ARDUINO ABparticipant · SE
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVAparticipant · IT
ZENTRUM FUR SOZIALE INNOVATION GMBHparticipant · AT
MALARDALENS UNIVERSITETparticipant · SE
THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORDparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

University of Eastern Finland (ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO) coordinated the project. Contact their research office or the project PI for licensing and collaboration inquiries.

Order a report on this consortium See ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the eCraft2Learn team to license their maker space toolkit or explore a partnership? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the right consortium partner for your needs.

Order a report on this topic More in Digital & ICT