VIRTUAL MODEL It AND THEY WILL LEARN

Earth science concepts are the primary focus of K-12 science education. Students are tested annually on their improved knowledge and skills. Teachers find themselves struggling with teaching these concepts in a concrete manner because resources such as models, manipulatives, field trips, and access to experts is minimal or nonexistent. Students today are very digital, hands-on, instant, and impulsive. In order to reach them on a level of true understanding and knowledge ownership, the teacher needs to explore a variety of avenues. This is where the realm of 3D virtual models steps in. Through the use of photorealistic 3D virtual models, the teacher is able to take his/her students into the field to experience the Daisetta, Texas sink hole disaster ‘first-hand', to ‘manipulate' a fossil from an ancient indigenous burial ground from Milk River, Canada in order to understand its contributions to history and our learning, or even to travel to other countries (Ireland or Spain) in order to compare and contrast the geology of various landforms. Science is no longer solely within the confines of the classroom or the play ground area. Teaching fossils (elementary) and archaeological history (high school) can take on a new life. Three-dimensional scanning at long range (1 km) and short range (less than a meter) have been used to produce high-resolution photorealistic 3D models of the geology and the archaeological artifacts. The models produced not only illustrate the area around the site but the artifacts in fine detail, but also provide a permanent and accurate geometric model for future analysis, comparison, or replication aiding in creating lessons that impact learning on a much more rigorous level. 3D scanning has the potential to alleviate a persistent problem in a variety of science fields, the unavailability of artifacts to both researchers and the public. Artifacts that must be curated, stored, or repatriated can be recorded and used for digital comparative collections or educational material. Such data availability opens the door to better comparative analysis and public awareness. Teachers can access a variety of models for their lessons through open source software and provide ‘real-world' ‘hands-on' experiences for students who other wise would never have the opportunity to experience science outside of the textbook.