This summer marked the beginning of a creative collaboration at the intersection of chemistry, design, and technology. When Dr. Zach Rhoden from the Department of Chemistry approached our team and the Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) Maker Commons, he brought with him a bold idea: to empower students in his spring chemistry course to build their own working speaker and a functional LED fluorimeter.
From the outset, there was great energy around the project. Together we explored Dr. Rhoden’s vision and began refining it with one central question in mind: How could we transform a technically demanding project into an accessible, hands-on learning experience? The answer lay in the strategic use of 3D printing to make scientific principles not only visible, but also tangible and engaging for students.
As the collaboration developed, Sey took the lead in helping to define the project’s technical scope, contributing design expertise and practical insight. Through each iteration, the team moved closer to the core of Dr. Rhoden’s idea: custom-designed, 3D-printed components, including modular speaker housings and tailored fluorimeter parts, integrated directly into the Maker Commons' workflow. Every element was prototyped, tested, and adjusted to ensure ease of assembly, empowering students to bring their devices to life with their own hands.
In addition to physical components, the team is also developing a digital 3D model of the fluorimeter, an interactive resource students can explore before ever picking up a tool. This virtual preview allows students to familiarize themselves with each component and connection, transforming uncertainty into confidence before moving to the physical build.
When spring arrives, students in Dr. Rhoden’s course will encounter a learning experience unlike any they have seen before. In addition to exploring chemistry concepts, they will print, assemble, solder, and troubleshoot their own instruments, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practice.
We are excited to witness how this immersive approach will shape students’ creativity, curiosity, and understanding. Just as important, we are inspired by the possibilities this project reveals for the future, with innovative collaborations that blur traditional boundaries between science, technology, and design.
If this story sparks an idea, or if you are curious how hands-on design support might enhance your teaching, we would love to imagine what is possible, together.
