Earth in Our Hands

This article describes how one teacher introduced Earth science topics to a 10th-grade biology class using a 3D printer. The activities described give students opportunities to visit Earth's geologic landmarks through kinesthetic modeling. 3D-printed topographical maps function as a supplement to, or replacement of, two-dimensional drawings, computerized maps, or satellite images. Using kinesthetic activities to introduce students to these formations allow students to interact with the world in ways that would be impossible using 2-D maps or drawings, or even if they were on location for their research (Williams, Oulton, and Taylor 2017). Stretches of land 60 km wide and 4,000 m high become small enough for students to hold in their hands while still retaining all the details necessary for studying. These 3D-printed topographical maps were presented to classes of 25-30 students as part of the class's end-of-year Earth science unit. Students participated in a series of stations, each taking 1-2 days for a group of 4-7 students to complete, each with unique 3D maps. Major lessons covered by the different stations include glaciation, erosion, and tectonic plate movement; however, this article focuses on an activity called "Caldera Comparison: Using 3D-printed maps to show how volcanoes have shaped Earth throughout history."