About Us
Thrive designs and 3D prints custom learning tools for special education students, and gives them to public school teachers free of charge.
Our mission
At Thrive, our mission is to help special education students by providing custom, 3D-printed learning tools tailored to their needs, completely free of charge for teachers and classrooms.
How we started
Thrive began during my freshman year in a 3D printing and design class. For the final project, we were allowed to print whatever we wanted. However, I didn't want to print something for myself which would most likely just sit on a shelf, so my teacher suggested reaching out to our school's special education teacher to see if his students needed anything that could be designed. After I created those first few customized tools, it made me realize the flexibility of 3D printing, but it also revealed a gap in accessible education: standard classroom tools don't work for every learner, but custom manufacturing can change that.
Why personalized tools are necessary
There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to special education, because a single disability or sensory profile affects each child differently. Products that are bought off-the-shelf often do not fully meet a student's specific needs, and custom items aren't easily found, yet targeted tools are crucial for various reasons: overcoming learning barriers, fostering independence, and supporting a student's growth so they can succeed.
What we do, and how we do it
We collaborate directly with special education teachers to identify the exact challenge a student is facing. We then design and 3D print tools that directly target those needs.
Safety first
Every single item we print is made using non-toxic, non-hazardous filament suitable for daily classroom handling.
Direct collaboration
We consult with educators to fine-tune shape, size, color contrast, and texture to ensure the final product delivers maximum accessibility.
100% free for public schools
These customized devices are provided to special education teachers in public schools at zero cost, which ensures that budget constraints never stand in the way of student progress.
Looking to the future
We are working to expand our reach by connecting with more special education teachers and schools. As Thrive expands, our goal is to build a growing collection of customizable 3D models specifically for accessible education, allowing teachers anywhere to request and receive personalized tools that help every student reach their full potential.
Who is behind this
Eva
Founder
Eva is a high school student based in Redmond, Washington. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing 8-ball.
Eva's interest in 3D printing came from her class in her freshman year. She believes every child deserves materials designed for how they learn, and she is passionate about using technology to close the gap. She designs all of the models herself!
Put a tool in a kid's hands
Donations go toward the materials and the design time behind each customized tool.