Page 17 - FIS World October 2018

Biology teacher, Christopher Neumann, explains how the new microscopes have the potential to redefine microscopy at FIS: “Looking at cells in three dimensions is cool, but the ability to digitally stain structures that conventional stains ignore will open up research opportunities for our students that were previously unimaginable. For example,
a sample from the pond up at the Primary School revealed Didymosphenia geminata, a single-celled diatom algae that is sometimes called ‘Rock snot.’ In this case, the 3D Cell Explorers could be used to study diatom structural metrics or even to assess the environmental quality.”
3D microscopes, 3D printers and 3D modelling software are having a transformative impact on STEM learning at FIS.
3D printers and 3D modelling software are having a transformative impact on Design Technology lessons, too. As Design Technology teacher, Duncan Watkin, explains: “As part of the design thinking process, students often produce several iterations for their design proposals. By using Computer-Aided Design, students can model and test designs in the virtual world...thus reducing the amount of natural resources used in the manufacture of a product.”
Mr. Watkin continues: “With 3D printing, the time required to produce a physical prototype has been reduced from days to just a few hours, allowing students to gain valuable client feedback sooner.
Add in 3D scanning technology and virtual reality, and students can scan existing items [and] interact with the product and make real-time changes to shape, color etc. as they test the product. The resulting ‘new product’ can then be 3D printed in
a matter of hours. This quick and personal interaction with the product early in the design thinking process is transforming how students work and think.”
3D visuals can be a valuable learning aid to help explain difficult concepts to students, deepening their understanding of a subject. Yet, it is through the use of technology to engage students in activities never before possible, promoting creativity and fostering excitement as students collaborate, problem solve and create, that the true benefit of 3D technology becomes clear.
Leila Holmyard FIS Parent
Using computer software, students are able to digitally stain cells to examine each layer (above);
an image of a banana cell in 3D (below)
October 2018 FIS World 15