City X Space Kid logo

Meet James. His City X Project invention will be 3D printed onboard the International Space Station in early 2015.





The Story

In 2013 we ran one of our first City X Project workshops in Appleton, Wisconsin.

We also created the first civilian space engineer.

His name is James.

He’s 11.

City X Space Kid with his Clay Prototype and 3D printed model

In our workshop kids are challenged to create inventions for the citizens of City X, the first human settlement on another planet, where everything is being created with 3D printers.


James created an invention for Miguel, who is facing a health issue in City X. James invented the Health Coaster (schematic below!), an all-in-one healthcare solution for not just Miguel, but all of the citizens of City X.

Using the design process, James made his model stand out because he didn’t just think about physically healing Miguel. He enhanced his invention to take care of other important parts of health too, such as hunger (an M&M® dispenser!), relaxation (a foot massager!), and fun (it rides on a rollercoaster track!).

City X Project Citizen Card for Miguel

Working with Made In Space to 3D print one of our kids’ inventions is a spectacular opportunity to make the point that our science fiction story is not so much fiction as it is science.

Already we are bringing 3D printers to the International Space Station. Within the lifetimes of the kids in our workshops, we really could be using space travel and 3D printers to build the first city off of Earth. This is an idea that ignites the imaginations of kids and encourages them, our team, and the team at Made In Space to care deeply about STEM education.



The Invention

City X Project Space Kid Health Coaster schematic



The Toolkit

The City X Project is a Common Core-aligned 3D printing & design thinking curriculum. You can download our toolkit to run City X Project workshops in your own classroom!



Our 3D printer giveaway has ended. Congratulations to our winner, Mia G, from Wall, New Jersey!


Get the new book, Journey to City X: Adventures in Engineering for Kids, coming out May 26! |Pre-order now!