I am asking for help getting a shared 3d printer not only for my students but the rest of the science department at our High School.
Not only would this be valuable to teachers in creating manipulatives to help the students see how microscopic processes work, it would allow students to develop skills using real 3d modeling and printing to produce projects and prototypes of a much higher quality.
Every year my chemistry students make windmills that generate electricity using DC motors, poster paper, tape and cardboard. With 3d printing my students could make modular designs allowing them to try different blade shapes and angles more easily and rapidly. For my biology students, who currently ask the most about real world skills, it would give them the power to create and examine various types of joints, model DNA synthesis and making more long lasting and interesting manipulatives for our student inquiry projects.
This would also allow my students to create 3d models of microscopic processes to get a hands on idea of how they work. This would range from chemical shapes, quantum states of electrons, DNA synthesis and muscle/neuron functions, etc. Having these models and representations in 3d and not on laminated paper would make it much easier for students to see their true shape as well as allowing them to last more than one year reducing paper waste at our school.
All of these would help make my classroom more engaging for my students, more sustainable for future years and help teach my students real life skills that directly apply to work my students may do in the future.
About my class
I am asking for help getting a shared 3d printer not only for my students but the rest of the science department at our High School.
Not only would this be valuable to teachers in creating manipulatives to help the students see how microscopic processes work, it would allow students to develop skills using real 3d modeling and printing to produce projects and prototypes of a much higher quality.
Every year my chemistry students make windmills that generate electricity using DC motors, poster paper, tape and cardboard. With 3d printing my students could make modular designs allowing them to try different blade shapes and angles more easily and rapidly. For my biology students, who currently ask the most about real world skills, it would give them the power to create and examine various types of joints, model DNA synthesis and making more long lasting and interesting manipulatives for our student inquiry projects.
This would also allow my students to create 3d models of microscopic processes to get a hands on idea of how they work. This would range from chemical shapes, quantum states of electrons, DNA synthesis and muscle/neuron functions, etc. Having these models and representations in 3d and not on laminated paper would make it much easier for students to see their true shape as well as allowing them to last more than one year reducing paper waste at our school.
All of these would help make my classroom more engaging for my students, more sustainable for future years and help teach my students real life skills that directly apply to work my students may do in the future.