Our trip to the Wood Innovation Design Center was both fascinating and very tame. I always wonder how I imagined something being before I see it, and I think I was expecting a wood shop. (To be fair, there is probably a shop hiding in the back somewhere.) The designs and creations were very cool, and I already have ideas on a 3d printed model of the conic shapes which I’m sure someone has already designed. The actual 3d printing process is decidedly boring and gives me pause to consider what to show students and why.

Also worth reflection, the variety of works was surprising. 3d printed LIDAR maps are a great example of tactile learning (including tactile learning in my practice is one of my main goals.) Gears are always cool, and I wonder if it is possible to use them in areas outside of mechanics. The answer is always yes, I believe, so the question is will I find them. Miniatures are a great way to represent people and I think could help with history. There is a YouTube channel I love, Historia Civilis, that uses colored squares to represent people; it is actually more dramatic as a result.

This might be the first time that I have seen a new technology develop from its infancy and realized that it will be catching on and that I will have to learn about it. It will probably also be a field where the students know more about it than I do. I am glad to have a chance to both increase my knowledge and explore new ideas.