3D Printing in Chemistry Teaching: From a Submicroscopic Molecule to Macroscopic Functions - Development of a Molecular Model Set and Experimental Analysis of the Filaments

Michael Scheid; Kristina Hock; Stefan Schwarzer

World Journal of Chemical Education. 2019, 7(2), 72-83
DOI: 10.12691/WJCE-7-2-6

Special Issue

3D Printing in Chemistry Teaching: From a Submicroscopic Molecule to Macroscopic Functions - Development of a Molecular Model Set and Experimental Analysis of the Filaments

Michael Scheid¹, Kristina Hock¹ and Stefan Schwarzer^1,

¹Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Education, Munich, Germany

Pub. Date: April 11, 2019

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transformation of Knowledge in Chemistry into Didactical Experiments)

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Cite this paper

Michael Scheid, Kristina Hock and Stefan Schwarzer. 3D Printing in Chemistry Teaching: From a Submicroscopic Molecule to Macroscopic Functions - Development of a Molecular Model Set and Experimental Analysis of the Filaments. World Journal of Chemical Education. 2019; 7(2):72-83. doi: 10.12691/WJCE-7-2-6

Abstract

In the last few years high quality 3D printing has become quite inexpensive. Therefore, a look at its possible applications in school chemistry teaching seems worthwhile. This article deals with a project to engage upper school students in the development and production of their own molecular model set using a computer-aided design (CAD) program and a 3D printer. The presented teaching unit can be integrated into regular chemistry classes with six to eight lessons or can be offered as an elective lesson course. Part of this teaching unit is the investigation of different 3D print filaments to elaborate their chemical structure-properties-relations. The filaments are characterized by their melting behavior and by further chemical analysis.

Keywords

3D printing, molecular model set, project work, CAD software, structure-properties-relations

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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