Digital resources have become even more important as COVID limited in-person instruction over the past year. Being able to send students a link to digital scans of fossils, potsherds, and/or bones helps to bring the past alive to them, no matter where they are located. Now that schools are transitioning back to in person instruction this Fall, the digital resources created during the past year can be a major benefit to the classroom. Scans of artifacts can be examined on any device or projected in front of the class. With permission, those same scans can be sent to 3D printers in the school's lab (or via the Black Belt Museum's digital lab) to print copies of those same objects to be used as part of lessons or in a lab without risk of damaging fragile collection items. These digital and physical resources increase access to information for students to provide a greater learning experience that can be shared at home as well. After learning the basics of 3D printing and scanning, participants will get the chance to actually complete a lesson plan using 3D scanned/printed objects. Groups will get to choose either the science or history lesson plan to complete.

Outcomes: 1. Gain a basic understanding of 3D printing (both Filament and SLA). 2. Learn the basics of 3D scanning technology. (Photogrammetry, Light, and Laser). 3. Learn how 3D printed fossils/scans can be used in a lesson plan.

Instructors:

Brian Mast, Educator, Black Belt Museum, University of West Alabama

Tim Truelove, Museum Technician, Black Belt Museum, University of West Alabama