The 3 Ps of 3D: Perception, Pedagogy, and Practice for 3D Printing

Two printed yellow triangles. The angles are removable and can be placed in a 180 deg half circle.
3D printing is increasingly used in STEM education. How can it be made accessible to students who are blind or visually impaired? Click on the links on the right to view the printing modules, organized by topic, and the recorded 3D printing webinar!
  • Printing. How might someone find and select appropriate models for printing? What are effective workarounds for working with accessible 3D printing hardware and design software? E.g., how might I teach or learn how to use OpenScad with blind students? 
  • Practice. How might teachers, blind students, or blind individuals access 3D printing? 
  • Pedagogy. How can 3D models be used to support blind students' engagement with STEM curricula? How might 3D models be used to convey concepts via the tactile rather than visual sense?