Student-Guided Three-Dimensional Printing Activity in Large Lecture Courses: A Practical Guideline

Abstract

Modern technology stimulates the development of innovative classroom activities. We designed a 3D printing activity in two separate Organic Chemistry lectures of at least 200 students each. This assignment required students to 3D print a molecule of their choice, relying on services made available through the university libraries. Data obtained through a survey at the end of the semester provided key information on the students’ experiences with printing 3D models for the first time. A summary of this feedback and constructive remarks on the best practices regarding 3D printing assignments in large lecture courses are presented.