Archive: Feb 2020

Historical Event Lesson Plans Using 3D Printing

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We have always been interested in Historical Events.  Chris has always been into World War II literature and the facts, battles, and people of the era.  During our formative years, there was very little in the way of interactive tools to learn history.  Today there’s video, interactive museum displays, and now a new method – 3D Printing!

The Library of Congress is providing a hands-on approach to learning by providing access to downloadable 3D print files from its LC Labs website.  Visitors to the website can manipulate the images from various angles and see what they look like in a variety of materials, backgrounds, and lighting.  The images are capable also of being measured and sliced to smaller proportions.  An example of one of the accessible images is as follows, a cast of Abraham Lincoln’s hand grasping a sawed-off broomstick.

This opportunity by the Library of Congress provides a great learning tool to teachers nationwide in enhancing their lesson plans on a variety of subjects.  What a great opportunity to enliven our children’s minds about historical items and events.

The Smithsonian Institution’s Digitization Program Office implemented its open-source viewer, Voyager, so that 3D models of the historical items could be displayed online.

The idea for this program was developed by library staff sensing a need for educators and school librarians to work with 3D models.  Thirteen of the staff members teamed up in determining what items would be presented on the website. The research was conducted as to which audiences are interested in 3d modeling and how 3d initiatives are accomplished by other cultural environments.

Images 3D printed for educational purposes provide children not only an understanding of how it applies to their lesson plan but also in how the object is structured and have a working model for their classrooms for future students to observe.  The models present an opportunity for students to pose various questions regarding the model including what it may represent, its societal impact, etc.  This is a great avenue for social learning.

The Library of Congress’ contribution is just another example of the great opportunities that exist in the 3D printing world.  For more information on this opportunity, take a moment to read this article at https://gcn.com/articles/2020/02/21/loc-3d-printing.aspx.