MCE 3D-printer competition meeting Thursday

The Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship is holding an information and resource meeting Thursday for its upcoming 3D-printing contest.

The meeting will be held 4:30 p.m. at the organization’s office, 2800 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 108.

Registration for the competition can be completed online at MaricopaInnovates.com through Thursday.

Limited to residents of Pinal County, the contest consists of two separate competitions. The first competition is for the makers-group in which adult teams will race to assemble a 3D-printer kit. The winning team gets to keep the kit they assemble.

The second competition is for any individual or team of up to three members to create a design to be made on a 3D-printer. The winners of each division will receive a 3D-pen and the grand prize winner will receive a Printrbot Simple kit 3D-printers. The designers’ competition will be separated into three divisions; kids aged 8-12, a middle school and high school division ages 13-18; and an adult division.

Tom Baxter, director of the Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship, said building and designing can be essential tools in continuing one’s education and starting a business.

After attending Thursday’s meeting, teams will be given the rules and requirements, and the 3D-printers will be released to the maker teams March 7.