Most people see chemistry as one of the most challenging sciences, generally because of how conceptual and math focussed this discipline is. Most people tend to consider themselves to be visual learners where being able to see– or even better hold— something can make it easier to visualize and understand a concept in their mind.
3D printing has been deemed as revolutionizing by experts in a wide variety of fields, including everything from medicine to technology to art, and chemistry is no exception. These devices are valuable resources that can be used to make inexpensive chemistry model kits which students can use to physically make the model and have a better understanding of a molecule’s structure, shape, and nature. This would be particularly useful to students in introductory chemistry courses and in organic chemistry. 3D printer could also be used to make models of lattice structures and allow students to better understand the structure of a molecule by being able to see the pattern the atoms make when conjoined. For a lot of students who learn visually this is the perfect learning tool because it allows them to work with the models themselves– allowing them to teach themselves that ensures an understanding of the concept at the most basic level– the molecular level!
By being able to effectively incorporate 3D printers into chemistry education at the collegiate level, students interested in chemistry education will not only be able to have a strong understanding of how to use these devices, but how resourceful they can be in the classroom whether it be at the elementary or secondary education levels.
For higher level chemistry courses at the university level, 3D printers can allow students to make models of more complex compounds. Students interested in biochemistry can make models of proteins, DNA, lipids, and essentially any monomer or polymer they choose. There are no limits for the types of models chemistry students can make using 3D printers, but the important thing to remember about these devices is that students have the opportunity to use them the way that best suits their learning style, which is an invaluable tool when considering how diverse and unique learning styles are within a department at a university.
While 3D printers are wonderful learning tools that can be used within the chemistry and education departments, these pieces of machinery can also be useful for printing out materials that can be used in the chemistry labs. For example, 3D printers can be used to print out test tube and pipette racks, which would be far less expensive than purchasing them, ultimately allowing the department to save money.
3D printers have also been used to make it easier for chemical engineering companies to faciilate syntheitc chemical reactions, in an inexpensive and effective way. With that being said, the chemistry department at JMU would also be able to do the same thing in higher level chemistry labs.
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