A 3-D Printed Heart in the Hand: Bringing STEM Programs to life!
Help me give my students a 3-D printer and printer filament to allow students to hold and manipulate anatomical structures in a way normally not possible!
My students in Buffalo, NY come from a wide variety of backgrounds. My students represent many ethnicities, races, genders and social classes. This can often be challenging as classes are diverse in ability and interest. Although I teach a 7th grade science class of 28 students and two Biology classes with 48 students total, the 65 students in my two Anatomy and Physiology classes are my focus here.
My Anatomy and Physiology students become the most actively engaged in learning when I get them involved in labs and activities.
This is challenging with classes of 32 or 33; however, I try to adjust and make it work. Although I lack the budget for supplies, my Anatomy and Physiology students are tenacious and willing to try out whatever activity I design for them.
Our school is located in the heart of Buffalo, NY and students from all over the city attend. Most have limited science lab experience. Only a handful have ever done a dissection. They truly learn best with activities that engage them and allow them to see first-hand how and why the body works. These are the experiences they will never forget!
My Project
Students in my Anatomy and Physiology course utilized countless techniques to help instruction come alive. Students watch videos, draw diagrams, view GIF's and other images, conduct labs and activities, make flashcards, make models and more. However, without actually seeing the structures, many things are hard or nearly impossible to visualize.
With a 3-D printer, my students will be able to replicate structures like the pituitary gland and hyoid bone that they would be unable to examine first-hand any other way.
Using the printer, we will be able to create accurate models of so many anatomical structures. No longer will we have to rely on illustrations and videos. We can literally make the instruction and structures come off the page. Being able to view all anatomical structures in dissections is simply not cost-effective or practical. Having the 3-D printer will allow my students to experience anatomy in new and exciting ways.
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