3D Printing Workshop Activity That Aids Representation of Molecules and Student Comprehension of Shape and Chirality
Charlotte E. Dickenson, Richard A. R. Blackburn, Robert G. Britton
Abstract
Traditionally, there is often a shortfall in the ability of students to draw and visualize molecules in set orientations and assign their stereochemistry. We have created and evaluated a 3D printing workshop activity suitable, but not limited to, small-group undergraduate teaching of stereochemistry. The activity blends question and answer tasks with a complete workflow for students to draw a chiral molecule and prepare it for 3D printing as part of their class time. The majority of students enjoyed the activity and wished to see more 3D printing in their education, with the integration of steps that require students to draw the structures and prepare the printing files being found important and highly beneficial. Comparing data collected before and after the workshop highlights that this activity has led to improvements in student confidences in drawing chiral centers and increases in perceived competences in understanding, representing, and assigning chirality.