Landform Library for Educators

thingiverse

This project aims to build a comprehensive library of 3D landforms for teaching earth science. The tool used is Terrain2STL, an easy-to-use app developed by Thatcher Chamberlin, which converts terrain from Google Maps into STL files. These files are then cleaned up and modified in Meshmixer and Tinkercad. The models included here showcase various landforms around the world, such as Uluru / Ayers Rock in Australia, Sugar Loaf in Brazil, Diamond Head in Hawaii, Pitons in Saint Lucia, and many others. Each model is a representation of real-world geography, allowing students to explore and learn about different landscapes. This project is suitable for middle school students (grades 6-8) but can be adapted for all ages. The steps involved are relatively simple: 1. Choose a landform to print using Terrain2STL. 2. Switch to Satellite view to see the terrain, as the app doesn't have a search function. 3. Click on Center to View to outline the area that will be turned into a printable STL file. 4. Adjust the box size to cover the entire target terrain and click to drag it into position. 5. Click on Create STL File and then Download the STL file of the terrain, which will have a filename based on its latitude and longitude. 6. Open Meshmixer, import the STL file, and use Edit --> Make Solid to close up any holes and Edit --> Plane Cut to trim off extra parts around and under the landform. 7. Export the file as an STL file and load it into slicer software like Cura, which often results in a better-looking model if the height (z-direction) is stretched by 1.5X or 2X. The project's objective is to create 3D models of landforms for use in the earth science classroom, serving as examples during instruction and assessment tools for students.