ROM THE MICROSCOPE TO 3D PRINTING

STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING THE CELL IN THE CONTEXT OF BASIC EDUCATION

Abstract

Preparing students to engage with creative solutions in scientific and technological fields has become one of the main goals of contemporary education. In this context, Maker Culture and 3D printing technology have been incorporated into the school environment in practical and innovative ways. 3D printing has proven to be an effective tool to facilitate the visualization and learning of cellular structures, especially due to the high cost and inaccessibility of traditional methods such as electron microscopy. In addition to making the content more accessible, this approach stimulates active student participation, promoting meaningful learning through active methodologies that involve visual and tactile aspects. The present study aimed to develop three-dimensional models of cytoplasmic components for use in high school Cell Biology classes. The pieces were prototyped using the free software TinkerCAD and printed on a Flashforge 3D printer using the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) method. Models of microtubules, endoplasmic reticulum, and ribosomes were created and finished with polyvinyl acetate (PVA) paint from the brand Acrilex. During the process, parameters such as filament type, infill percentage, layer thickness, extrusion temperature, and printing speed were defined. The resulting models were used as teaching resources in Cell Biology classes, contributing to the understanding of eukaryotic cell morphology and physiology. Students showed great interest in the activity, highlighting the positive impact of the models on content assimilation. Based on these results, the expansion of 3D printing use in different disciplines is recommended, aiming to enrich pedagogical practice and make the teaching-learning process more effective.