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Student Engagement Using 3D Printed Manipulatives in Chemistry and Mathematics

AACU Transforming STEM�Higher Education�November 7 - 9, 2019 ��Dr. Sharada Buddha and Dr. Kristen R. Schreck

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3D Design & Printing of�Biochemical Molecules

Dr. Sharada Buddha

Associate Professor of Chemistry�

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3D Printing Across Disciplines

  • Collaboration:�Dr. Sharada Buddha & �Dr. Kristen Schreck�
  • Curtis Feipel�SXU Biological Sciences Major/Chemistry Minor, Lab TA and 2018 Graduate�
  • Students in Survey of Organic Chemistry with Biological Applications course (Spring 2018)

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Biochemical Molecules

  • Reinventing the �Molecular Model Set�
  • References:

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Molecular Modeling and Visualization Tools

  • Avogadro (free) �
  • PyMol (commercial, �free academic version)�
  • ArgusLab (free)�

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Converting to STL

  • To convert chemical file models PBD (Protein Data Bank) or MOL2 (Tripos molecule structure) to STL file format: ��Python Molecular Viewer (free)

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Converting to STL

Output from the Python Molecular Viewer

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Test Prints

  • Methane (CH4)
  • Ethane (C2H6)�
  • PMV initial settings:� ball radius = 0.3� stick radius = 0.2�

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Test Prints

  • Methane (CH4)
  • Ethane (C2H6)�
  • Considerations:�- Print time�- PLA use�- Bond lengths/atom � size

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Survey of Organic Chemistry - Lab Lesson

Four molecules:

  • n-Butane (C4H10)
  • Hexane (C6H14)
  • 2,2 - Dimethylbutane
  • 1,3 - Dimethylcyclopentane

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Survey of Organic Chemistry - Lab Lesson

  • In-class prints with Ultimaker 2Go�
  • Time per print: under 30 minutes�
  • Molecules students studied were more complex than test prints�

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Survey of Organic Chemistry - Lab Lesson

  • Larger versions reprinted outside of class with Ultimaker 2+ and Ultimaker 2Go
    • PMV settings:� ball radius = 0.5 � (increased)� � stick radius = 0.2�

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The Final Four Molecules

n-Butane (C4H10) Hexane (C6H14) 2,2 - Dimethylbutane 1,3 - Dimethylcyclopentane

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Two More Molecule Sets

The “cyclo” set:

  • Cyclopropane (C3H6)
  • Cyclobutane (C4H8)
  • Cyclopentane (C5H10)
  • Cyclohexane (C6H12)

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Two More Molecule Sets

The complex molecule set:

  • Glucose
  • Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) �[3D printing stages shown]�

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The Finished Molecules

ATP Glucose

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All together now . . .

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The Students Delight in Their Work

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Satisfying Results

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Expanding the Organic Chemistry Lab Lesson

  • Refine our design & modeling process:
    • more accurately represent the�arrangements and size of atoms and bonds (PyMol)�
  • Experiment with different filament (we used PLA):
    • strength
    • flexibility
    • colorable atoms �(make our own 3D printed kit)�

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Expanding the Organic Chemistry Lab Lesson

  • Upload our STL files and images of biochemical molecules to:
  • Explore ChemicalData and MoleculePlot in Mathematica

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Sharing Our Creative Productions

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Active Learning through �3D Printing in Mathematics

�Dr. Kristen R. Schreck

Associate Professor of Mathematics�

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Ultimaker Education 3D Printing Pioneer

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3D Printing Lessons in Calculus

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Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) - Questions

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  • How effective is teaching with 3D printing as compared to other methods of teaching mathematics?�
  • Does having students design and then 3D print their own mathematical objects significantly grow their understanding of -- and interest in -- the mathematics in the course?

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Inaugural Multivariable Calculus 3D Printing Class - Fall 2016

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  • Meaningful - foster hands-on learning of higher-level math concepts

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  • Mathematically relevant - 3D printing manipulatives to illustrate concepts & how to move beyond this�
  • Student-centered - actively involved in design and creation of the models

Incorporating 3D Printing into Mathematics Courses

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Incorporating 3D Printing into Mathematics Courses

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  • Iterative design process - creating prototypes�
  • Creativity - making mistakes, trial and error, refining analytical skills, building confidence�

Multivariable Calculus Students

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First Student Project - Tinkercad

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  • Create an original surface of revolution from other surfaces

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  • Introduce 3D printing process steps
    • Design (& re-design)
    • Save as STL
    • Cura - 3D printer slicing software
    • 3D print

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First Project - Tinkercad

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Rene with “Ollie” and his treat bowl�

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First Project - Tinkercad

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  • Students document work
    • written report
    • photos & video
    • class presentations

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    • how models enhance mathematical understanding
    • 3D design & printing process details
    • include reflections on successes and pitfalls

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Modeling Quadric Surfaces Project

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  • Find ways to produce 3D printable files based on equations, data, code, or geometric properties�

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Modeling Quadric Surfaces Project

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Hyperboloid of Revolution - Mathematica

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Saddle Surface - Mathematica

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Ellipsoid, Sphere, Paraboloid

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Challenges for Students

  • Math
    • Implicit form to u, v parameterization for quadric surfaces
    • Code to print wireframe vs. solid surfaces�
  • 3D Printing
    • Determining best orientation of object
    • When to use supports
    • Cura (slicing software) settings
    • Fixing problems with triangular meshes�

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Multivariable Calculus - The Goblet Project �

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Calculus I - Illustrating Theorems - 2D to 3D

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Calculus I - Illustrating Theorems - 2D to 3D

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A New (Pedagogical) Direction

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“reverse engineer” 3D Printing Explorations

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SoTL - A New (Pedagogical) Direction in Calculus III

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  • Models designed in tandem with specific in-class student interactions�
  • Make geometric sense of the concepts learned�
  • Sketch on the models (chalkboard paint - filament)�
  • Reflection after teaching with models

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SoTL - A New (Pedagogical) Direction in Calculus III

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3D Printing - Senior Seminar Capstone Course

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Senior Seminar - Advanced LaGrange Multipliers - Business Applications

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  • Package Design
  • Kepler’s Wine Barrel Problem

Marilyn Gellert (‘17 MATH)

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Senior Seminar - Non-Euclidean Geometry��

Joseph Bailey�(‘18 MATH/SED) �

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Senior Seminar - Knot Theory�

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Senior Seminar - Knot Theory�

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Christine Labudiong (‘19 MATH/SED) �

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3D Printing - NSF-HSI GRANT� EXPLORE STEM � Summer Research 2019

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NSF HSI - EXPLORE STEM Summer Research 2019

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Giselle Palacios (MATH) �

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NSF HSI - EXPLORE STEM Summer Research 2019

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Poster Presentation:��“Mathematics of Minimal Surfaces as Soap Films and Applications to 3D Printing”

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Giselle Palacios (MATH)

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NSF HSI EXPLORE STEM�Summer Research 2019

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Giselle Palacios (MATH)�Summer 2019 Research Blog�

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NSF HSI EXPLORE STEM�Summer Research 2019

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Giselle Palacios (MATH)�Summer 2019 Research Blog�

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3D Printing & Beyond in a GE Mathematics Course

Math 150: Geometry for Art and Design (Fall 2019)

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Beyond 3D Printing in STEAM -�

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Fractal Carpets

  • Focus - understanding abstract mathematical concepts�
  • Students - design, customize (make unique!), 3D print & Laser Cut models�
  • Make something useful�
  • Student-led, engaged discovery
    • Compute surface areas
    • Conjectures about area at “infinite level”
    • Calculate fractal dimension
    • Surprise result

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Reference:�Proceedings of Construct3D 2018 Conference - �Paper by Laura Taalman

Fractal Carpets & Fractal Dimension

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Fractal Carpets are Unique!

Railroad fractal

Chessboard fractal

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Digital Fabrication in STEAM - GE Math Course

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Digital Fabrication in STEAM - GE Math Course

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SXU Faculty-Student Research Expo

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We would like to acknowledge . . .

  • SXU Students in Calculus I, Multivariable Calculus, Modern Geometry, Senior Seminar, Geometry for Art & Design
  • SXU Students in Survey of Organic Chemistry with Biological Applications
  • Curtis Feipel - SXU Biological Sciences Major/Chemistry Minor, Lab TA and 2018 Graduate
  • Ultimaker
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Thank you

Questions?

buddha@sxu.edu schreck@sxu.edu

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Resources

Dr. Kristen R. Schreck

Associate Professor of Mathematics�

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Some Student Reflections on 3D Printing in Math Courses�

  • “My experiences with 3D printing in this course have been phenomenal. I have been able to create designs that I thought of, but also create designs that were based off functions studied in the course. This has elevated my learning of the material.”��
  • “There are hiccups in math, and 3D printing is no exception. Troubleshooting problems, making mistakes, and ultimately fixing them is a crucial part of learning that 3D printing let me explore within math and using the software.”��
  • “It’s fun to make objects, but the fact that we now know how the objects are made with our knowledge of implicit functions and parameterizations makes it that much better. As a future educator, this is what I want to show my students: Math is everywhere and you will use it.”

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Very Entertaining Student 3D Printing Videos

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3D Design Software Used in Mathematics

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CAD & Modeling

  • Tinkercad (free)�
  • OpenSCAD (free)�
  • Morphi (nominal $)�
  • Blender (free)

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Mathematical

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Processing & Editing 3D files

  • MeshLab (free)�

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Experimenting with 3D Scanning

  • Qlone (free)�

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Qlone App - 3D Scanning

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Other Math Students 3D Designs & Prints - Tinkercad

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Other Math Student 3D Designs & Prints - Tinkercad

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Other Math Student 3D Designs & Prints - Tinkercad

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Teacher Perspectives on 3D Printing in Math Courses

  • Joy of watching students see a mathematical object they designed 3D printed for the first time�
  • Students need time to create 3D designs and get to know the software on their own (plenitude of online tutorials available)�
  • Student writing component: answers provided were at times too brief, mathematical description not in-depth�
  • Reminder to students: PLA filament is not food-grade!�
  • Extra time is need to edit objects (create smaller prototype) to obtain clean 3D prints and remove supports (need the right tools)�
  • There’s anecdotal evidence that incorporating 3D design and printing of mathematical objects into the curriculum of my math courses has enhanced students understanding and interest of the mathematics in these courses - I am in the process of collecting more data in this area as a SoTL topic I am pursuing

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Blog Posts and Publications related to 3D design and printing in Math by Dr. Kristen Schreck:

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3D Printing in Mathematics - The Real Pioneers

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3D Printing in Mathematics - The Real Pioneers

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  • Henry Segerman (Oklahoma State University)
    • http://www.segerman.org/�
  • Vi Hart
    • http://vihart.com/

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Fractals!

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Mandelbrot set�

  • zoom in as much as you like to see tiny copies of itself

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Dragon Curve

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“Clouds are not spheres, mountains are not cones, coastlines are not circles, and bark is not smooth, nor does lightning travel in a straight line.”

~Benoit Mandelbrot (1982)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DragonCurve_animation.gif

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Dragon Curve

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http://www.cutoutfoldup.com/216-dragon-curve.php

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Dragon Curve - Vi Hart

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Dragon Curve - Numberphile

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Fractals!

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  • highly irregular shapes - ‘real’ and ‘mathematical’�
  • possible to define in a mathematically exact manner�
  • specific operation repeated over and over in a particular way

von Koch curve (1906)

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Now 3D print me a bone!