An Outreach/Learning Activity for STEAM Education via the Design and 3D Printing of an Accessible Periodic Table

Abstract

Through K-12 student workshops in 3D-printing technology at the Michigan State St. Andrews 3D-printing lab, a collaborative STEAM outreach project was initiated with the Committee on Chemists with Disabilities of the American Chemical Society to design and build an accessible Periodic Table of the Elements to celebrate the 2019 International Year of the Periodic Table. This project supported the education of students in 3D-printing technology and promoted their interests in learning about science while bringing awareness to the obstacles faced by individuals with disabilities. The project lessons, which included tile designs using CAD software, conformed to both the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards by defining problems, developing models, carrying out investigations, and designing solutions. Students acquired basic skills in 3D modeling and broad general knowledge of the Periodic Table. In Fall 2019, this Periodic Table, which included ASL hand-signing and Braille on each element tile, was displayed at the National American Chemical Society Meeting in San Diego.