Maker Faire Electric City 2024

Bringing Mathematics to Life with 3D Printing at Union College

Home: New York, United States

This project aims to bring mathematical ideas to life through 3D visualization and making, and turn abstract concepts into engaging experiences for students. Mathematical models of quadratic surfaces are to be designed and printed. These are literal plots of equations studied in multivariable calculus. Seeing and touching the physical objects helps convey senses of spatial geometry, traces, level curves, and curvature of surfaces. Solutions of ordinary and partial differential equations can be effectively visualized and constructed through 3D printing, such as Lorenz attractor, chaos, time-dependent solutions, and so on. They allow for developing better understanding of the mathematical principles and physical behaviors of the solutions. 3D printing can also help illustrate mathematical proofs and theories.