Collaborating for the gingerbread man

This is a story about how collaboration brought the gingerbread man to life this holiday season.
 
The third grade team at State Street Elementary School was looking for a large gingerbread man cookie cutter.  They searched and asked and were unable to come up with one anywhere that was large enough. (At least 12 inches tall).
 
Teacher Mary Whirtley contacted teacher Heather Buff (known for her technical wisdom) to see if it was possible to 3d print something like that.  “Of course it can be done,” Buff told her.  
 
Buff (who was out that day) asked Middle School technology teacher Scott Stagnitta if he could help.  “It was a pretty tight timeline so he set right to work, designed it and printed it.  He said he could have had students do it, but because the time was so short, he just went ahead and did it himself,” Buff said.
 
When it was done, it was put to a test and passed.  “And then the cafeteria staff made a giant gingerbread man for every student in third grade,” said Buff. “This is a nice example of the collaboration we are really trying for.”  
 
The next step was almost as sweet: there was a decorating extravaganza. All third graders decorated a cookie and brought the gingerbread man to life.