Paint 3D: A tool for teaching science
Paint 3D is a wonderful new tool that comes installed with the Windows 10 creators update. It has all the simplicity of the original Paint but enables you to easily create in 3D. You can draw, colour, and stamp stickers in 3D. You can texture your 3D object and turn it from wood to marble. You can even change a 2D doodle into a 3D object easily and simply.
This simple and powerful tool is a great addition to the Science classroom, allowing both teachers and students to bring science to life in their classrooms and make some tricky new ideas and concepts far more approachable for learners.
Let’s take the water cycle, for example. This is commonly drawn out and labelled as a 2D image but in reality it is far from a flat diagram. By allowing our students to create their own 3D models of this scientific process, they can explore and understand it to a far higher level. Imagine your students creating cross sections of volcanoes, diagrams of flowering plants or even a human eyeball!
Paint 3D isn’t just for students to create their own models, however. Teachers can bring their own models right into the classroom for their students to explore. By selecting the Mixed Reality, models can be brought right into their classrooms. Take an animal cell – this complex structure can be put into the hands of your students to turn, zoom and explore. You can even embed them into your PowerPoint presentations!
Concerned that you don’t have the time to create the models yourself? Just select Remix 3D. This is a space packed full of models that the Remix community have shared. Just select the model that you would like to use and import it into Paint 3D. Now you can edit it, add to it, or use it just as it is!
Looking to find out more?
Check out this great video of Microsoft Learning Consultant, Jose Kingsley Davies and Creative Director, Jennifer O’Brien, exploring how Paint 3D can be used to enhance Science lessons.
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About the author
Liz has driven a digital transformation to 21st Century Learning at Danesfield Primary in Marlow and has a passion for using Minecraft in the classroom. She is a Microsoft Learning Consultant, allowing her to transfer her expertise within Microsoft technologies and train other teachers.