3D PRINTING IN THE MEDL-CMC

The Modeling and Educational Demonstrations Laboratory Curriculum Materials Center (MEDL-CMC) is a new kind of curriculum materials center specializing in hands-on physical models and demonstrations in science education. In order to meet production needs of the instructional staff, the MEDL-CMC provides variety of equipment, supplies and staff assistance. 3D printing is a useful and emerging technology, but 3D printers can be expensive for instructors who only occasionally produce 3D printed materials for their classes. For this reason, 3D printers have been added to the MEDL-CMC production equipment inventory to be shared among MEDL-CMC users. In addition, the MEDL-CMC stocks a wide range of supplies, such as filaments and finishing materials. Training on how to use the printers, along with setup and basic design assistance is available as well. In this presentation, a detailed description of the MEDL-CMC’s 3D printing capabilities, services, user policies, and future goals are given. Feedback on ways the MEDL-CMC model can meet the fabrication needs of instructors to increase educational capacity and decrease lesson preparation time is invited.