Penn State Turns to 3D Printing, Online Learning to Teach Students About the Brain

A Pennsylvania State University research project is exploring the use of 3D printing and interactive technology to teach middle school students about the human brain.

Researchers in the Brain3M project, funded by the Penn State Social Science Research Institute, have come up with a tailored online learning platform that allows students to go through a series of virtual 3D structure models and descriptions of the brain along with photos and diagrams that illustrate the complex concepts concerning how the human brain works.

Students in the Brain3M program each receive their own 3D printed model of the human brain so they can closely examine it themselves.

Students in the Brain3M program each receive their own 3D printed model of the human brain so they can closely examine it themselves.

Likewise, students in the program each receive their own 3D printed model of the human brain so they can closely examine it themselves.

"The students can click on any parts of the brain in any order they want, so we're really letting them make their own decisions about their learning," said Jennifer Legault, a graduate student at Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology. "The kids seemed to like that they could take control of their own learning experience and go at their own pace."

In order to test the effectiveness of the Brain 3M project (which stands for mobile devices, magnetic resonance imaging and 3D models), researchers took pilot programs to the Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Charter School and the Science-U summer camp that is held annually on the Penn State campus for middle school students.

Participants were taught two different lessons involving brain science, one with the interactive Brain3M website and the other with a PowerPoint presentation.

Although the sample sizes of the groups were too small to yet draw any substantial conclusions, researchers indicated that students were more excited and engaged by the Brain3M platform. All students received the 3D models of the brain on keychains as souvenirs.

"More than 80 percent of the participants said they would want to use this website again to learn about the brain," Legault said.

About the Author

Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.

Featured

  • glowing digital brain above a chessboard with data charts and flowcharts

    Why AI Strategy Matters (and Why Not Having One Is Risky)

    If your institution hasn't started developing an AI strategy, you are likely putting yourself and your stakeholders at risk, particularly when it comes to ethical use, responsible pedagogical and data practices, and innovative exploration.

  • young man in a denim jacket scans his phone at a card reader outside a modern glass building

    Colleges Roll Out Mobile Credential Technology

    Allegion US has announced a partnership with Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and Denison College, in conjunction with Transact + CBORD, to install mobile credential technologies campuswide. Implementing Mobile Student ID into Apple Wallet and Google Wallet will allow students access to campus facilities, amenities, and residence halls using just their phones.

  • college students in a classroom focus on a silver laptop, with a neural network diagram on the monitor in the background

    Report: 93% of Students Believe Gen AI Training Belongs in Degree Programs

    The vast majority of today's college students — 93% — believe generative AI training should be included in degree programs, according to a recent Coursera report. What's more, 86% of students consider gen AI the most crucial technical skill for career preparation, prioritizing it above in-demand skills such as data strategy and software development.

  • laptop with a neural network image, surrounded by books, notebooks, a magnifying glass, a pencil cup, and a desk lamp

    D2L Lumi AI Updates Add Personalized Study Supports

    Learning platform D2L has announced new artificial intelligence features for D2L Lumi that help provide more personalized study supports for students.