Dr O’Donnell gives her Chem 11 class an assignment to map out some major advancements in Biology and Chemistry. Sam decided to make a 3D light sculpture that would map Innovations in Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Europe since the Renaissance with North-South and East-West are the X and Y axis while time is the vertical Z axis.

Sam first thought about using 3D printed hexagons from the LASG’s Spyder collection to make a rough map of Europe. She discovered countries and capitals that she had never known before.

Then she had to identify the major innovations. How would one decide if it was “major” or not? This meant not only knowing details of the science, but also having an understanding of the significance of the event.

Sam discovered 1.2m long 24 V spaghetti noodle LEDs called nOOds. Blue represents biology, green is chemistry and white is physics. She also discovered 3D printed PETG “snap links” from the LASG. These snap links has a slot in them so that the nOOds and wires could slide in. It was a tight fit.

Part way through, Sam decided she needed more length than 1.2 m. She got to do some Ohm’s Law calculations. It would have been convenient to splice two nOOds together, but that would mean a constant current, but 48 V power supply. Rather, she soldered extension wires to a second LED, hooked them up in parallel and the physically placed them in the snap links to pretend they are in series.

However, that meant there were 4 wires in the snap link at once. She broke two nOOds trying to cram them in. But she spent her own $120 on purchased new nOOds. She was much more careful this time.

The snap links were designed to go in a base, but she was using the Spyder hexagons. So she learned a bit of 3D design to make a modified Spyder that would receive the Snap links.

She created an electrical manifold using double sided copper plates and a drill with a 60 W soldering iron. Once it was test driven, the copper plate was painted in liquid tape.

The A in STEAM is often an after-thought or beautification. In this project, the art required learning science facts, develop engineering skills like 3D design, 3D printing, graphic arts and science of the nominated scientists. It also communicated how the sciences is attached to Gross Natural Product. The Art is the centre hub around which all learning happens,