STEM and 3D Printing

Frog Dissection Kit

This excellent frog dissection kit is free and easy to print. Check out the Thingiverse page to download the model and review the pre-made lesson plans.

Anatomy - Reproductive Systems

We often get requests for anatomical models, and we're working on building our collection of materials. Some materials are available through APH, but we could always use more! 

We received a request for 3D models of human reproductive systems. We used this model of the Female Reproductive System and this model of the Male Reproductive System. These 3D models are much easier to explore and examine in detail than a traditional tactile graphic. 

3D Shapes and Bisection

3D printing is great for creating custom learning materials. 3D shapes can be obtained through APH, but this particular student needed 3D shapes bisected at different angles. These were very easy to model and print!

Galaxies

While preparing materials for a student, I came across the black and white image below, used to demonstrate the classification of spiral arm galaxies. I created a 3D model using a free lithophane generator , but the important features were not clear enough to distinguish between the different classifications. I edited and enlarged the model until the tactile features were easily identifiable, and I then added print and braille labels.

The lithophane tool creates a 3D model based on the light and dark colors in an image. Dark colors are raised the least and bright colors are raised the most. This creates "peaks" of light on the galaxy maps where bright stars or galaxy centers appear.

Moon Phases

These graphics were created by converting a gray scale image into a 3D model. I found that the gray scale conversion alone produced sloping lunar phases that were distracting. I created a new model that corrected the slope to clearly show each stage of the lunar cycle. This new model works well in a large or small scale. The larger scale allows for exploration of the lunar surface texture. There are some minor distortions in the print shown below that can be resolved with some printer adjustments, but they do not distract from the tactile experience. 

Lunar Craters

Image for studying the relative age of lunar craters. Gray scale image conversion with braille labels added.