THE EMERGING ROLE OF 3D PRINTERS IN A GEOLOGY CLASSROOM

Observations in the author’s classroom suggest that when students are engaged in active learning they retain concepts much better than when passively engaged in learning the same material. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) recommend that students model scientific concepts when possible. When students are able to model concepts, they are actively engaged. Printing of three dimensional objects is rapidly expanding in academia and workplaces. Having the ability to create 3D objects for students provides a pathway for active learning. The ability to observe a topographical model allows the learner to correlate a topographic map to the area being represented. The initial cost of a 3D printer has dramatically decreased since first introduced. Today, a reliable printer for a beginner can be purchased for approximately $500. The essential question now becomes “what will you do with it in your classroom?” The author presents her experiences in obtaining funds, finding the right printer and how it is used in a geology classroom.