Dr. Robert Krueger, a mathematics professor at CSP, leads the way for CSP students to tap into their creative side through mathematics with his 3D Printing Project in Calculus III. As an advanced level course, students have already learned the foundational skills of calculus and are then able to apply those skills in creative ways once they reach Calculus III. Dr. Krueger says that he designed the project to enhance these skills, “I wanted to come up with something that used 3D printers in a unique way. Sometimes it is hard for mathematicians to be creative. We are good at problem-solving using learned techniques but not always creative in our approach. This project enhances technical and problem-solving skills.”
There are many benefits to projects like this being taught in the classroom. Students have the opportunity to expand their understanding of the field they are entering and the roles that are possible for them, as well as how to succeed in those roles. “The keys to success in mathematics, and Calculus III in particular, are problem-solving, quantitative reasoning, and using technology to enhance learning,” Dr. Krueger says. “Students need to be comfortable with integration techniques, understanding of three-dimensional functions, and willingness to learn how to use common software packages.”
The project itself requires students to create a design that fits within the given size criteria and then use their knowledge to operate the printing machine to create their unique design. Dr. Krueger explains the core objective of the process: “The challenge is they need to use functions and techniques of integration, not basic geometric formulas. The students need to reason what is known and what is unknown, and then how to find the unknown with the known.” Aside from successfully printing their own designs, students are expected to work together to find solutions. “One of the main objectives is for students to work as a team. That is always high on a list of employer’s expectations for college graduates,” Dr. Krueger says. “In addition, creating something new using the tools you are given is applicable to almost any field.”
At the end of the project, students get to hold their printed creations, Dr. Kruger’s favorite part.