Modelos didáticos: parasitas impressos em 3D

Abstract

The research work aimed to establish interdisciplinary relationships with technology, art, and biology education, using 3D printers to create didactic models for teaching. The methodology employed was applied research, which, as per GIL (2019), focuses on the development of new technologies and methods. The project developed four didactic models of protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus, designed using software and produced with a 3D printer using PLA as the base material, made available to the Federal Technological University of Paraná. The two morphological forms of the protozoan, promastigote and amastigote, the etiological agents of leishmaniasis, were selected for production. The goal was to construct these models and analyze their contributions to teaching about leishmaniasis, creating didactic models with inclusive accessibility features such as Braille nomenclature and tactile morphological structures to enhance content understanding. The research demonstrated the exploratory potential of software tools like Blender 3.5, 3D Builder, CorelDraw, Ultimaker Cura, and Litophane, as well as the artistic and creative potential during the development of 3D modeling and painting of the models.