Munich International School is excited to share a significant update regarding our pioneering collaboration with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Technische Universität Braunschweig. Supported by the German Research Foundation, this partnership brings the cutting-edge field of Additive Manufacturing in Construction (AMC) directly into our classrooms through the "Learning, Sustainability, Design" project.
The primary goal of this collaboration is to digitize the construction industry by exploring resource-efficient, sustainable, and recyclable building methods. By utilizing innovative 3D printing technologies and rethinking traditional materials, the project aims to "set the course for our future viability".
Armin Martin, MIS Junior School PYP Coordinator and Maker Space Lead Educator, emphasizes the importance of this interdisciplinary approach:
"The intersection of architecture, design, engineering, robotics and making through new digital technology and traditional materials is rapidly affecting many sectors of society and being developed at MIS".
The heart of this partnership is the AMC Edu:Lab, a mobile infrastructure featuring a working table with a robot set-up. Through these workshops, students engage in practical applications of digital fabrication, including clay and steel printing and digital documentation.
A key focus of the program is to ignite interest in architecture and engineering, particularly among young women and girls, by providing them with early access to these emerging technologies.
Students have the unique opportunity to go beyond theoretical concepts and experiment with the physical properties of building materials. Louis, a 9th-grade student who participated in the workshops, described the technical experimentation involved in the process. Reflecting on the construction techniques they practiced, Louis noted that the work involved:
"Material sciences... modifying the clay [to achieve] different consistencies" for successful digital printing.
By experimenting with these materials, students like Louis are directly contributing to the overarching mission of the project: "Finding sustainable ways of construction".
What began as a pilot program in the Maker’s Lab under the Student Life Programme (SLP) has quickly evolved. Following the success of the initial trials, the AMC curriculum was shared with all Grade 5 Middle School students. Moving forward, Grade 10 students will also experience the program, with plans for further integration across the school curriculum in the coming academic year.
The impact of this partnership is already being recognized on a broader stage. In September 2026, Armin Martin will join TUM to present the findings of this collaboration at the Association of German International Schools (AGIS)conference in Potsdam, showcasing MIS as a leader in innovative, future-ready education.