With a few clicks of the mouse, Technical College High School (TCHS) students downloaded a $6.3 million gift from Siemens PLM Software, and with a few more clicks of the mouse, they’ll be able to print out real-life 3D product prototypes.

The in-kind gift of Siemens’ product lifecycle management engineering software suite Solid Edge makes TCHS only the second school in the region to provide students with access to powerful high-tech tools used by companies across the world to create 3D designs, simulations and visualizations, as well as to manage the design and manufacturing processes.

“It is a very exciting opportunity to have our students utilize the same technology that is currently used in advanced manufacturing settings in Chester County and across the Commonwealth,” said Chester County Intermediate Unit Career and Technical Education Director Dr. Kirk Williard. “Siemens is an international company. Many of these software packages are utilized on a global perspective for the design and development of products.”

TCHS instructors received Solid Edge training on Feb. 16 and are now able to “help students better prepare for the workforce of today and tomorrow,” Siemens Digital Factory Division’s Howard West said.

Students at TCHS have already been exposed to Solid Edge’s sketching tools — and have done extrusions, revolves, cuts and holes — and they will now be able to take their learning to the next level to print 3D parts this spring.

“Learning in the context of real-world projects helps students develop a stronger understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an applied manner,” Siemens Academic Partner Program Global Director Dora Smith said. “This grant enables TCHS to provide their students with real-world experience by employing the same software and technology used by leading manufacturers, preparing them for rewarding STEM careers.”