3-D Printing In My Classroom

I have a friend that teaches at a school where engineering is starting to become a huge deal. He went to special training for STEM education. His class is in need of 3-D printing so they can test out the designs they can make. Josh has shared many ideas he has had about 3-D printing, and one is printing robot parts that his students can design! I hope to give you a few examples that will help you see my basic ideas for 3-D printing.

For Biology

I, on the other hand, teach 9th grade biology and 10th grade physical science. For biology, I know just the way I could use a 3-D printer. My students have trouble visualizing DNA replication and protein synthesis. Sure, there are many models of DNA I could order and also manipulatives for protein synthesis, but none of them actually show the processes of these concepts. I could create all the different enzymes that are used to break DNA apart and place it back together, and I could make ribosomes and show how they read tRNA to make proteins.

For Physical Science

For my physical science classes, I could definitely use a 3-D printer.  Just a few weeks ago we were learning about simple machines. I really didn't have any material that was fun and active for my students. A 3-D printer would have been great for allowing students to create their very own simple machine! This would help keep students motivated, but also show them how simple machines are used in everyday life by building one.

These are two ways I would use a 3-D printer in my classroom. I still think that 3-D printing is too expensive for every classroom to have one. Would a 3-D printer be a technology tool that would benefit my classroom? Definitely Yes! To other teachers, this might be a different story. Maybe someone who wants to donate a 3-D printer to my classroom will see this post and send one to me!