Layer by Layer: Elevating Mathematics Learning with 3D Printing

Authors

• Jia He, Augusta UniversityFollow
• Eryn Michelle Maher, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
• Heidi Eisenreich, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
• Ha Nguyen, California State University at Dominguez HillsFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2025

Abstract

This article explores how 3D printing, particularly through the free and widely used slicing program Cura, can support the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) instructional model in alignment with Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) mathematics standards. Through the CRA lens, students engage with tangible models, modify drawings and diagrams, and connect these experiences to symbols and formulas through a cyclical process. Cura’s design and printing processes invite authentic mathematical reasoning about geometry, measurement, and proportionality. Real-world constraints, such as infill density and support structures, create opportunities for students to explore relationships among shape, size, and resource optimization. By sharing approachable examples and classroom tips, this article invites mathematics teachers and teacher educators to explore 3D printing as a modern way to engage students in hands-on learning. The goal is not to add just another gadget, but to show how 3D printing can support discovery of and extend reasoning already valued in effective mathematics teaching, while helping teachers build confidence with emerging technologies.

Recommended Citation

He, Jia; Maher, Eryn Michelle; Eisenreich, Heidi; and Nguyen, Ha (2025) "Layer by Layer: Elevating Mathematics Learning with 3D Printing," Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators: Vol. 17: Iss. 1, Article 2.
DOI: 10.20429/gamte-proceedings.2025.170102
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gamte-proceedings/vol17/iss1/2